By Gami Tadanyigbe
Daisy Oak Foundation has reached at least 124 women, adolescent girls and children during its MotherCare Community Outreach Programme held in Sabon Gari, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The outreach, held on September 7, 2026, was implemented in partnership with the Primary Healthcare Centre, Sabon Gari, and the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), FCT Chapter.
The programme, aimed at supporting healthy mothers, empowering adolescent girls and equipping young learners, surpassed its initial target of 100 beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries included 30 pregnant, nursing and newly delivered mothers, 64 adolescent girls and more than 30 children and 50 students were supported with educational materials.
Speaking at the programme, Founder/President – Dr. (Mrs.) Kiema Ogunlana, of Daisy Oak Foundation, said the initiative was designed to address the interconnected challenges of maternal health, nutrition, menstrual hygiene and access to basic learning materials among vulnerable members of the community.
She said the outreach combined health education, counselling and the distribution of essential supplies to enable beneficiaries to improve their health, wellbeing and educational participation.
The Officer-in-Charge of the Primary Healthcare Centre, Sabon Gari, Mrs. Comfort Nuhu, emphasised the importance of adequate nutrition to maternal health, child development and the overall wellbeing of families.
A nutrition session facilitated by Mrs. Titi Omale provided participants with practical information on balanced diets, meal planning and the use of affordable and locally available foods.
The programme also featured a menstrual hygiene education session for adolescent girls, focusing on personal hygiene, proper use and disposal of sanitary pads, menstrual preparation and the need to overcome misconceptions and stigma associated with menstruation.
As part of the intervention, 30 MotherCare kits containing maternal and infant care items were distributed to pregnant, nursing and newly delivered mothers.
The items included diapers, baby wipes, baby soap, face towels, petroleum jelly, sanitary pads, bathing soap and nutritional products.
Similarly, 64 adolescent girls received sanitary pads alongside menstrual hygiene education, while more than 30 children were supported with exercise books and other basic learning materials.
The Foundation said the outreach recorded an increase of at least 24 per cent above its initial beneficiary target, reflecting the growing need for integrated community-based interventions.
The programme brought together health workers, civil society organisations, community representatives, volunteers and private-sector supporters to promote improved nutrition, maternal wellbeing, menstrual dignity and access to education.
Participating stakeholders and supporters included Daisy Oak Foundation, Primary Healthcare Centre, Sabon Gari, CS-SUNN FCT Chapter, community representatives, volunteers, Asun 101 Solutions, Ramzy’s Pot Catering & Services, Baocam and Truss Limited, and Hillshore Clinic and Maternity.
The Foundation noted that the high turnout among adolescent girls highlighted the need for sustained menstrual health education and improved access to sanitary products in underserved communities.
It also called for stronger partnerships and follow-up interventions to expand maternal health education, menstrual hygiene support and educational assistance to more vulnerable communities across the FCT.
Daisy Oak Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to working with communities and development partners to improve the health, dignity and wellbeing of women, girls and children.
The organisation said the MotherCare Community Outreach Programme demonstrated the impact of combining practical health education with essential supplies to address immediate needs while encouraging long-term healthy practices.