News and Events
Three brief stories from the field about how 'Aama' Radio program has helped
1) Case study: Husband inspired by 'Aama' Radio Program
Kedar Khadka (Tityang VDC-Baglung), married, has a 3 year-old daughter.
I have been regularly listening to the 'Aama' magazine from Dhaulagiri FM for the last 9 months. I listen with my family and neighbors. When my daughter was born, I didn't know anything. I didn't know the importance of ANC checkups or nutrition during pregnancy. We had our daughter, but not in a planned way. I now know that was not the right way. I was lucky my wife and daughter were safe.
"A couple's conversation in the 'Aama' drama motivated my wife and I to go to health post for services and information about family planning for spacing. We visited the health post and decided to use condom. This radio program has helped me to convince my neighbors, my especially recently married ones, about pregnancy, maternal and newborn health.
2) Case Study: Maternal trauma survivor and Aama listener becomes an advocate for women and newborns
Leela Chamlagain (24) is from Sanischare VDC of Morang.
When Leela became pregnant for the first time, she had no idea how to take care of herself - what to eat, what care she must do or what danger signs were. She had many difficulties that were signs of a potentially serious problem, but each time, the women in her village said “don’t worry it is normal to have problems during pregnancy”. She believed them. Later, she delivered at home and almost died - surviving only after having been rushed to the hospital. After her baby was born, she started listening to the Aama radio program.
3) Case Study 'Aama' radio program reinforces community worker's efforts
Noma Poudel, 21 (Pathri-8 Aitabare, Morang) is a member of the women’s network who teaches village women about MNH issues. But, when her sister in-law was pregnant and she tried to teach her own family about how to care for a pregnant woman or a newborn she ran into difficulties. When she explained that they must not take bath the newborn baby within 24 hours no one believed her because she was unmarried. “How did you know this?” her mother asked her. Two weeks before her sister in law's delivery, all members of family were listening to the Aama Radio program at home. That episode just happened to focus on newborn health issues and reinforced what Noma had been trying to tell them about delayed bathing. It was only then that the family was able to believe and appreciate Noma's efforts. Later, her sister-in-law's newborn baby was not bathed within 24 hours after birth. Noma was very happy that she, with the help of the 'Aama' radio program could help keep the baby safe.
02/09/2008
JHU/CCP
SSMP
