Report on Women's Activity Under Women's Federation
Date: 1st August 2025
Location: Family Federation Center, Mishoro Village, Chipata, Zambia

Introduction
The Women's Federation conducted its monthly activity focused on child health monitoring and maternal support amidst growing challenges of malnutrition and limited resources. The event saw unprecedented attendance, stretching logistical capacities but fostering community solidarity.

First Session: Child Health Crisis & Nutrition Support
Opening Prayer: Led by Mrs. Leya Jerry.

Child Weighing Activity
- Total Children Assessed: 112 (110 registered + 2 unregistered).
- Critical Cases Identified:
- 3 sets of underweight twins:
- 3-year-old 5 month twins (boy/girl): 15kg each.
- 3-year-old 10 month twin boys: 19kg & 14kg.
- 7-month-old twin boys: 7kg each.
- 2 severely underweight sick children (3+ years): 6kg & 7kg. Action: Referred to clinic by Mrs. Lupili (despite distance constraints).

Logistical Challenges
- Overwhelming Attendance: Surge in children strained resources; porridge supplies were insufficient for 2 latecomers.
- Adaptations:
- Pastor Jerry and youth Solomon Banda assisted with weighing/registration.
- Pastor Jerry organized age-grouped traditional games to engage children.
- Grass shelter built by youth boys provided limited protection from cold winds.

Community Support & Encouragement
- Special Visit: The wife of the Village Chief attended the session to observe the activities. She expressed great happiness and excitement at seeing the children's involvement and promised to mobilize more children for future sessions.

Nutrition Intervention
- Soya Porridge Distribution: 1kg packets given to children aged 6 months–3 years (prioritized due to shortages).

Second Session: Maternal Support
- Attendance: 83 mothers
- Activity Adjustments:
- Family values discussion postponed due to time constraints.
- Sanitary Pads Distributed: 30 new mothers received pads with usage guidance.
- Key Announcement: Mothers urged to arrive by 7:00 AM for future sessions to optimize time.

Key Observations & Challenges
1. Escalating Malnutrition: Persistent underweight cases, especially among twins, demand urgent medical-nutritional partnerships.
2. Resource Gaps:
- Insufficient porridge/shelter for growing attendance.
- Budget limitations hinder scalability.
3. Community Resilience: Collaborative efforts (pastors, youth) mitigated chaos, ensuring child safety and engagement.

Recommendations
1. Emergency Response: Partner with local clinics for on-site child health screenings.
2. Resource Mobilization: Seek donor support for:
- Expanded nutrition supplies (porridge ingredients).
- Permanent shelter construction.
3. Program Restructuring:
- Staggered sessions by age groups.
- Pre-registration to forecast attendance.

Conclusion
Despite challenges, the event highlighted the community’s dedication to child welfare. The endorsement and support from the Chief's wife signifies growing recognition of the program's impact. Immediate action is critical to address systemic gaps in malnutrition management and resource allocation.

Note: The rising child participation reflects trust in the program but underscores the need for sustainable solutions.
Prepared by: Women's Federation Leadership;
Severine Lupili and Florence Chanda
Chipata HTM community