A story of transformation from Resty
Our programs constantly amaze us with the impact we observe in the communities that we serve and the lives we touch. Seeing their resourcefulness and resilience time and time again, we know investing in women is key to solving the world’s big problems.
Today we want to take you to Kilimanjaro and introduce you to Resty.
Resty is a 39 -year-old mother of three aged 7, 6, and 4 yrs. old. Resty and her husband considered using a permanent method of family planning since she got all her kids via cesarean section (c-section) method and therefore wanted to be free from conception. She imagined that, by getting a permanent method, she would get enough time to take care of her family, making sure the kids get proper care and education.
Despite the willingness to access the family planning services, Resty faced some myths and misconceptions from her community regarding the permanent family planning method. People told her that the method isn’t safe since it will cause monthly period blood to accumulate in the uterus and she might end up getting cancer.
In May 2019, UMATI conducted a service delivery outreach under She Decides project in Moshi District Council, providing essential services including cervical cancer screening, HIV counseling and screening, and provision of family planning information and services.
Fortunately, Resty and her husband were amongst clients who received Family planning education. They then approached our healthcare provider and expressed their need to access the family planning service. Our healthcare provider offered excellent counseling about the method making sure they understand well about it.
Following the service, Resty said, “I am really happy to receive such service with no harm and you are providing the high-quality services, I am promising to be your ambassador in our village reaching my fellow women.”
Family Planning knowledge to both men and women is important than educating women only at a time. When the families are aware of the child spacing, how many children they can have willingly and what family planning method can be used, helps families to reach their full potential both socially and economically. UMATI through the support received from the She Decides project enabled Tanzanian women, like Resty to access the right services at the right time.
