It all began watching news how despite years of aid, a country desperately need more towards immunization: In 2018, the proposed withdrawal of GAVI funds from countries that had crossed from low to low middle income and resulting outcry motivated a master’s research on the achievements of aid in meeting the Nigerian Expanded Program on Immunization. That showed the enormity of the problem, and need for a new approach. A lasting approach. Community was the backbone of many African countries, but it was dying. The idea came to bridge the old with new using technology which afforded closer communion as well as strengthening, age old social networks. Now, the rest is history as we take a step each day towards supporting meaningful and sustainable development.
Vision
To facilitate sustainable development using the power of community and technology.
Our Why
Every voice must be heard and supported to leave no one behind.
Our Mission
We improve outcomes for the vulnerable in particular children, through interventions that leverage communication, and digital technologies, as well as give voice to those most affected through community engagement.
ChildACT was conceived in 2019 and began operations in 2021.
ChildACT-DE-Foundation started with a motivation to improve immunization. In Nigeria, only three of every ten children, receive full immunization to prevent them acquiring illness from vaccine preventable diseases (a major cause of associated deaths in childhood). This has been the picture in the past 20 years, despite free services (supported by state and external stakeholders).
Why have caregivers failed to immunize their children? For some it is about factors affecting vaccine supply, health workers or other systemic challenges. Whereas for others, it’s a simple forgetting. This is because they do not understand and, or lack the social support to encourage value, exhibited in demand for immunization.
This is what ChildACT aims to change. We envision reaching two thirds of Nigerian children with SMS reminders to secure full vaccination (for age) by their first birthday, all within the next ten years! This will shift immunization’s reach to at least six of every ten children in the communities we serve. Further we want to do it by contributing to building resilient social networks and communities. Widely attributed to originate in Africa, the saying “it takes a village to raise a child” is what we would be capitalizing on.
SMS reminders have improved immunization demand in Kenya, and Zimbabwe. In health and widely in HIV/AIDs management, they have also improved better outcomes. Then in Sierra-Leone, strengthened communities through purposeful community groups improved immunization coverage in the 80’s (before SMS’s) attaining up to 90% coverage of children before the civil conflict. These groups galvanized community action, against all odds, overcoming the post conflict Ebola outbreak in 2014.
Therefore, one of our focuses is to nudge those without other access barriers through SMS reminders, and support positive peer social influence within the communities by engaging them closely. Thus investing in purpose. A purpose which is transformational and enduring, not just towards immunization and children but as occasion serves. Supporting ChildACT fills this gap, that for the sheer need for vaccine purchasing and logistics, is prioritized downwards. Yet it is in demand, that supply is justified, and overall value added.
More broadly, we envision using the power of technology and community to catalyze change by empowering young people, women, the vulnerable and stronger communities, sustainably. Our collective efforts brings private sector efficiency, excellent public health and research expertise, stellar business acumen, and community relations together for this singular purpose.
For us, it is a responsibility towards sustainable development, community by community in Sub-Saharan Africa.
To health, empowerment and development!
- ChildACT-DE-Foundation is led by a seven person board:
Joan Alaboson
Udeme Joshua
Lawrence Umoh
Kufre Ekanem
Idaresit William
Samuel Charlie
Dominion Joshua
Winner of the 2021 D’prize in immunization; ChildACT envisions reaching two thirds of Nigerian children to secure vaccinations by their first birthday, nudging those without other access barriers to demand immunization using SMS reminders, and supportive community engagement.
Financial and digital skills for education and life
Leadership strengthening
(2)Those at risk are:
(a) Children from low socio-economic background.
(b) Children from broken homes.
(c) Children that are orphans.
(d) Children from hard to reach area such as riverine area or due to poor road.
(e) Children whose parent are illiterate or have a low level of education and those who harbour superstitious beliefs.
Mfon Nseyo
(2) Children mostly at risk of not completing the immunization schedule are mostly children who have adolescent mothers, and mothers who don't believe in immunization despite awareness. High cost of transportation to and from the facility and also religious beliefs limit immunization in some children
Nurse Bata
(2) Those at risk include: children from uneducated parents, parents with limiting religious beliefs and those from low economic status.
