How Family Planning Gives Access for Families to plan their Future

 

Jeanine and her husband laughting

Jeanine lives with her husband and children in Buhombo, North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She is a mother of 12 children, the oldest being 22 years of age and the youngest 1-year-old. Jeanine farms and sells Irish Potatoes & beans in her neighborhood and Goma city.  

 

BEFORE MAWE TATU 

 

“To have 12 children wasn’t neither a plan nor a business. It was simply an accident because we didn’t have contraceptives for family planning... We did not know where to find contraceptives and if we knew where [they were], we could have planned.” 

 

Jeanine farming in her land

Jeanine and her husband did not plan to have 12 children. They grew increasingly tired of expanding their family as poverty began to take a toll on their family. “My husband and I gave birth without no break in-between. We were asking ourselves where to find help because the situation has brought us poverty,” said Jeanie. Being pregnant severally placed a huge burden on Jeanine and her husband, both physically and economically. “When I was pregnant, I could not farm; I could not pick up a basin and walk into Goma to sell.” The lack of financial means meant her children could not study at school and were often hungry. Jeanine struggled with hypertension and hypotension during pregnancy due to the thought of her children's future. This left her feeling mentally and physically exhausted. “Giving birth with no break in-between makes your body weak and weakens your uterus. This means that sometimes you do not deliver normally,” Jeanine shared. The fear of complicated births stressed Jeanine and her husband because more complications meant more money spent at the hospital. 

 

AFTER MAWE TATU 

Jeanine being counselled before receiving Depo jab.

Jeanine discovered the Mawe Tatu project was working with her local health clinic. She was supplied with family planning services and medicines to help her. She was very happy and discussed with her husband the services offered through the project. With her husband’s approval, she headed to the health center. She was counseled and advised before the administration of the Depo injection lasting for up to 3 months. Before leaving, Jeanine was given an appointment card to know her next appointment. This method is working well for Jeanine and her husband because there have been no major physical side effects for Jeanine herself. 

 

Jeanine now supports her family through farming and feels much stronger these days, thanks to the support. She even feels her body is glowing again and sees that her husband is also more at ease now. She hopes that consistent women living in her area.