By Ana Isai Lopez Guerra | DESARROLLO INSTITUCIONAL
Claro. Para GlobalGiving conviene presentar Poncitlán como una intervención que ya no se limita al seguimiento antropométrico infantil, sino que integra primera infancia, salud materna, educación, detección de riesgos y apoyos complementarios para las familias.
Te propongo esta versión en inglés, con tono institucional pero cercano a donantes:
Strengthening Maternal and Child Nutrition in Poncitlán
Over the past six months, ONI Mexico has continued strengthening its work with children, mothers, and families in the community of Poncitlán, Jalisco. During this period, our team carried out 12 community visits, providing direct services to 100 children and expanding our support to pregnant and breastfeeding women through our maternal nutrition program, ONI Materna.
Our goal is to provide consistent support during two of the most important stages of human development: pregnancy and early childhood. By combining nutritional monitoring, education, preventive screening, and family support, we are working to identify risks early and give families practical tools to protect the health and development of their children.
Supporting Children’s Growth and Development
During this six-month period, 100 children received care through ONI’s community-based program.
Our team carried out six educational sessions with children and their caregivers, covering topics related to nutrition, healthy habits, child development, and family well-being.
We also completed six growth and development follow-up sessions, monitoring children’s weight and height to identify changes in their nutritional status and determine when closer follow-up may be necessary.
For children considered to be at greater nutritional risk, we strengthened our assessment activities. A total of 30 children received anthropometric evaluations and hemoglobin testing to screen for anemia. This additional monitoring allows our team to identify possible nutritional deficiencies and provide more appropriate follow-up for children who may require additional attention.
These activities go beyond collecting measurements. Each visit gives our team an opportunity to understand how children are growing, speak with their caregivers, identify potential risks, and reinforce practices that support healthier development.
ONI Materna: Caring for Mothers from Pregnancy through Breastfeeding
One of the most important developments during this period has been the incorporation and strengthening of ONI Materna in the community.
A total of 23 pregnant and breastfeeding women are currently benefiting from the program.
ONI Materna was created to accompany women from pregnancy through breastfeeding, recognizing that a mother’s nutritional health directly influences her own well-being and the healthy development of her baby. The program combines nutritional support and education, including nutritional assessment, fortified food, nutritional guidance, educational materials, and family accompaniment. Presentacion ONIMATERNA
Through the program, women receive information on maternal nutrition, breastfeeding, healthcare, and early childhood development. The purpose is not only to provide nutritional support, but also to strengthen mothers’ knowledge and confidence so they can make informed decisions for themselves and their babies. Presentacion ONIMATERNA
ONI Materna ultimately seeks to contribute to improved nutritional status among mothers and babies, support breastfeeding, and reduce nutrition-related risks such as maternal anemia. Presentacion ONIMATERNA
Additional Support for Families
Our work in Poncitlán also includes responding to practical needs identified during our community visits.
In August, as families prepared for the beginning of a new school year, ONI distributed school supplies to 50 beneficiaries. This support helped children return to school with some of the basic materials they needed to continue their education.
During this period, we also distributed 35 baby bottles to participating families, as well as household cleaning supplies for children, mothers, and caregivers.
These donations complement our nutritional work. While our central mission remains focused on nutrition and early childhood development, we recognize that family well-being is influenced by many interconnected factors. Responding to identified needs helps us build stronger relationships with families and maintain their participation in our programs.
Six Months of Community Action
Activity Results Community
Looking Beyond the Numbers
Every number represents an opportunity to intervene at an important moment in a child’s or mother’s life.
A weight and height measurement can identify a child who needs closer monitoring. A hemoglobin test can reveal a possible risk of anemia. An educational session can help a caregiver make a healthier decision at home. Supporting a pregnant or breastfeeding woman can contribute to healthier beginnings for the next generation.
Through our continued presence in Poncitlán, ONI Mexico is working to create a model of care in which children are monitored, mothers are supported, families receive practical tools, and nutritional risks can be identified before they become more serious.
Our 12 visits over the past six months represent much more than individual service days. They represent continuity, trust, and an ongoing relationship with the community.
Thank you to the GlobalGiving community for helping us continue this work. Your support allows us to reach children during critical stages of development and to accompany mothers from pregnancy through breastfeeding, helping families build healthier futures from the very beginning.
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