Ramberg Child Survival Initiative (RACSI)

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Ramberg Child Survival Initiative (RACSI) was founded in Makurdi Benue State in June 2011 and has been providing support and development to rural communities in Gwer East and other LGAs in Benue State.
RACSI is a non-governmental and non-profit health organization incorporated on May 2, 2012 to empower local communities in Benue State with information, skills, and tools necessary to make informed choices and take actions to enhance their well-being.
It provides health and nutrition services for children as well as income generating activities with maternal health services to women and household.

Mission: To improve the wellbeing of children, women and their families in Benue and Nigeria.

Vision: A society free of illnesses and death amongst women and children.

Goal: Enhanced well-being of children and women and their families

Thematic areas:
• Health and nutrition
• Environment, water, sanitation and hygiene (E-WASH)
• Gender and human rights
• Humanitarian services

Aims and objectives:
• To promote child growth and development for children aged 0-5 years;
• To promote disease prevention in the communities;
• To promote home management of common illnesses;
• To promote care seeking and compliance among community members;
• To empower women and other caregivers with knowledge and skills to improve their financial income. (Self-helped projects at household and community level);
• To enhance smooth operation of RACSI through the employment of systematic management operation, procedures and practices including robust supervision and monitoring

Activities:
RACSI activities is focused on improving key household and community practices (KHHP) or Community- Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses(C-IMCI) to enable the greatest impact on child survival, growth and development as well as maternal well-being. Focus will be on the following KHHP:
• Promotion of Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF).
• Promotion micronutrient intake through local production and consumption of food items rich in micronutrients and supplementation.
• Promotion of growth monitoring during first five years
• Promotion of child stimulation activities for mental and psychosocial development
• Promotion of birth registration for every child
• Prevention of major childhood diseases through safe water hygiene, Sanitation practices and use of insecticide treated nets
• Prevention of child abuse and neglect and appropriate follow up action
• Promotion of HIV prevention/ care and Support activities
• Prevention and management of child injuries and accidents
• Promotion of home management of major childhood diseases including referral action
• Promotion of care seeking and compliance for immunization (complete full course by first birthday), immediate referral, antenatal care, new born care and family planning.
E –WASH Activities of RACSI:
RACSI carried out programmes in Water Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene. We engaged in Community Led Total Sanitation; triggering of communities and follow-up to attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in Gwer East and Guma LGAs. Through our organization, Capacities of these community members have been strengthened to take leadership and monitor compliance by community members on WASH issues. Sensitization have been sustained in most communities to create awareness and deepen understanding on the need for dish racks and refuse dumps to enhance sanitary conditions of communities and its members.
Other activities:
• Integrating Human Rights in UN Peace building Response to Farmer-Herder Crisis In the Middle Belt
• Social Mobilization on Malaria Prevention, treatment and Control
• Supply of Vitamin A, Albendazole and Multivitamins to Ministry of Health for distribution to Children 6-59 months and Pregnant Women

Rachel Ityonzughul is the Executive Director of Ramberg Child Survival Initiative (RACSI).

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.