In the followed communities, the qualified Leaders, through the Christian mystics of faith and life, put into practice one set of actions for the promotion of health, nourishment, education, citizenship and spirituality. They act ecumenically, focused not only on the survival but also on the full development to the child and improvement of life quality of the children and their families.
When a family is followed by the Leader of the Pastoral da Criança (Child's Pastoral), its members feel supported and strengthened to search for solutions to the problems. The Leader belongs to the same community, knows the family and its situation well. Thus, he/she can instruct the family on its rights and duties. Together they can fight for better life conditions. The Leader also contributes to prevent domestic violence with messages of peace, love and solidarity.
The Basic Actions listed below, are the main settings for the Pastoral da Criança work:
1. Follow up pregnant women:
• Rights and duties.
• Important facts in pregnancy care.
– Preparation for breastfeeding, prenatal, nutrition, hygiene, vaccination, etc.
– Psychological support, strengthening of self-esteem.
• Pregnancy follow up:
– Baby development in the womb.
– Most common complaints, risk signs.
– Preparation for the child birth and after the birth.
2. Follow up of children younger than six years old:
• Rights
• Learning and development
• Breastfeeding
• Nutritional Evaluation
• Hygiene and buccal health
• Immunization
• Orientation for the prevention and treatment of diarrhea and breathing infections.
• Home serum to prevent dehydration
• Health danger signs
3. Promotion of the person’s dignity, citizenship, spirituality and of education for peace.