SUPPORT

Our babies and children are either coming from prison where the nutrition is poor, or from very poor families where food is scarce making healthcare our first priority. For all our children, we monitor the growth curve in weight, height and the psycho motor development of the child and diagnose any intervene immediately when problems arise.Our babies and children are either coming from prison where the nutrition is poor, or from very poor families where food is scarce making healthcare our first priority. For all our children, we monitor the growth curve in weight, height and the psycho motor development of the child and diagnose any intervene immediately when problems arise.

1. Immunisation
The programme of immunisation is also a very important aspect as we ensure that all our children are immunised against the following:
• BCG against primary infection of tuberculosis
• DTC against Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Whooping cough
• Poliomyelitis – which is better done after discontinuing of breast feeding because mother breast milk antibodies neutralise the oral poliomyelitis antigens.
• Measles
• Hepatitis B – immunisation should be discussed according to the prevalence of the disease.  Vaccines are available free to babies under 9 months at certain local clinics.

2. Malaria 
The prevention of Malaria is very important to our home. Due to the cost and possible side effects, we do not use anti-malarial medication. However, we ensure that all our children’s beds and cots are protected with anti-mosquito nets impregnated with mosquito repellent.

3. Medicine
Here at La Maison d’Arnaud, we cover the healthcare of all of our children and also the costs for urgent cases brought to our attention. We have found that most medicines are available in Madagascar, however, hospitals are not free and the medicine is very expensive as it is sold at European prices. Medical and treatment costs continue to be a big financial commitment in our household and any support you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

PRISON PROJECT 

Our prison project came to life when we heard that a female inmate had given birth to a baby and her child was serving out hert sentence. When we went to look into this, found that there were several women who, due to a lack of family support, were raising their children in prison. As we got to know the women and the children we realised there were several ways in which we could be useful to this marginalised community and so our 3-fold prison program was developed.Our prison project came to life when we heard that a female inmate had given birth to a baby and her child was serving out hert sentence. When we went to look into this, found that there were several women who, due to a lack of family support, were raising their children in prison. As we got to know the women and the children we realised there were several ways in which we could be useful to this marginalised community and so our 3-fold prison program was developed.

1. Child well-being and Development
The backbone of our project comes from the services we offer to the children living in the women’s section of the prison. While living with their mother’s, the prison does not provide rations for them and there are also no other provision of any kind (such as clothes or toys). Therefore on a weekly visit to the prison, La Maison d’Arnaud gives each child a care package which includes a rice ration, beans, dried meat/fish, milk and other non-perishable items such as clothes, toys or toiletries.

In addition, we run a voluntary placement program through which the mothers may elect to give us temporary custody of the children. Once temporary custody is given, we can look after them in our home and provide residential care, healthcare and education. As part of this program, the mothers are also automatically enrolled in our specialist social reinsertion program. We support their reintegration into the community once they are released and we help them rebuild their lives to ensure their children are transferred back to them. Since our project launched, La Maison d’Arnaud has welcomed over 6 children into the home.

2. Antenatal, Postnatal and Maternal Health
Our social worker does weekly prison visits to ensure that pregnant women receive the advocacy social support they need. This gives us the opportunity to monitor the pregnancy and provide any antenatal care needed such as; medicine, vitamins and additional food.

As part of this scheme, we also support the women at the time of the birth by providing:

• A medical package – we ensure that the package includes all items needed for the birth, such as; cotton wool, alcohol, etc.
• Layette for the baby – this has all essential items such as clothes, nappies, blankets, towel, toiletries , etc.
• Weekly supplementary food packet – this is provided for new mothers to support the production of milk. We encourage mothers to breastfeed as long as mummy and baby are healthy and remain healthy.

Following birth, both mother and baby are then closely monitored by our team throughout breastfeeding and early development. We do this to ensure the children do not suffer due to the psychological and physical implications of prison life.

Usually the prison mother’s health and nutritional status allows her to exclusively breast feed until 6 months. Once breastfeeding stops, diversification becomes necessary and it is almost impossible to achieve with the prison’s poor diet. To ensure the baby maintains good health, we take care of the baby until the mother has finished serving her sentence and feels capable of taking care of her child.