PROJECT BUTTERFLY

This is a copy of Project Butterfly.... Lauren S. from the North Island, Joe and I are planning a workshop to decorate our new Breastfeeding Room.   I will post pictures.  First I have to get the money!!  We are also doing a project on Backyard Gardening which will be fun too!
  This weekend we are attending a Family Wellness Fair at the Vuda Secondary School.  We will have a NCD/Reproductive Health station and be checking blood pressures, glucometer checks.  Our message is Non-Communicable Diseases are preventable.  It is a lifestyle choice.   Eat Smart, Exercise Daily and Don't Smoke.  I think we can all benefit from Choosing Wellness!
    Peace Corps volunteers were invited to Fiji by the Minister of Health to assist the people of Fiji in decreasing the incidence of NCDs. There are many organizations in Fiji (Red Cross, AusAid, UNICEF, etc) who are promoting wellness in hopes of decreasing the incidence of NCDs here.  Behavior Change is not easy for any of us!  People are still eating bowls of white rice and sugar......  Education is our goal.

OBJECTIVES	OUTCOME	METHOD
Educate Mothers on various health topics including:   Breastfeeding   Family Planning   Handwashing   Teeth Brushing   Child Development   Personal Self   Esteem   Healthy Families   Healthy Eating	Mothers will implement healthier parenting in the household resulting in better overall health of the family   Mothers will be good health role models for their children and provide a positive environment for children to learn and grow.	Group Discussion Presentations Personal reflection
Create Artwork for breastfeeding space.	Mothers will learn a practical skill of painting which could be a positive method of self expression   Mothers will create artwork and have ownership and pride in the space they helped develop	Demonstration Creation of artwork
Provide safe environment for mothers to express, question and learn.	Mothers will be equipped with knowledge and tools to positively change their families and communities.   Mothers will be able to ask questions and discuss issues they might not otherwise have the opportunity.   Mothers will have a strong female community to support them.	Group Discussion Interactive Activities Development and completion of artwork for Breastfeeding Room.

Project Butterfly would have the simple goal of empowering mothers.  The project looks to bring together mothers on topics relevant to their lives, as well as bring to light topics that are less discussed in Fiji, such as mental-health, self-expression and positive parenting techniques.

This activity would be a 3-4 hour workshop held with mothers and children.  We would look to utilize lecture presentations, interactive activities, and artwork to address a variety of issues.  Possible guest speakers would be brought in to support activities.

The culminating event of the workshop would be the mothers creating artwork for the Health Center’s Breastfeeding/Motherhood space.  The creation of this artwork would not only allow for positive self-expression of the mothers and children but also for the mothers to take pride in their creation and ownership is the space they helped to develop.

This projects gets its name from the idea of a butterfly transforming from a caterpillar to a beautiful new creature.  The hope is this workshop would be a catalyst of transformation for the mothers of their community.  In creating artwork mothers will be directed to create/paint the butterfly they are becoming.  The overall result will be a beautiful collage of unique and inspiring butterflies to decorate the space and remind mothers of the transformation they are making in themselves, their children and their community.

Lastly women’s empowerment is an activity that is always needed throughout the world.

Project Butterfly Program

9:AM Handwashing Demonstration

9:30 Teeth Brushing Demonstration with Mr. Mouse

10AM Making your own Baby Food Demonstration

TEA and Exercise

11AM Butterfly Artwork

11:30 Going Back to Work and Breastfeeding

Noon  Family Planning Options

12:30 Butterfly Art and Door Prizes