THE Modern Nanays of Mindanao, last Saturday, May 11, launched the first mother support center in Cagayan de Oro City, furthering its advocacy of helping moms, specially the first timers, in their journey to motherhood.
Alima (bisaya word that means to nurture, foster or support) is a mother support center that offers services and products that can help mothers give their little ones the best start in life.
“It’s a place of solace for mothers who are overwhelmed with motherhood. This will be the first place that will offer moms the rest and care that they need and deserve while juggling all the things that is concerned with motherhood,” Nadine Angelica Gadia Casiño, founder of Modern Nanays of Mindanao, said.
According to Casiño, Alima will officially open its doors to mothers in need of help and support this coming May 28 at Unit 4B H Building, Mastersons Avenue, Upper Balulang, this city.
“Seven years na ang (it stretched our) advocacy and we cannot live on giving away free when you add value to the lives of others. So karon (now), we are asking that we add value to your life and you add value to ours as well,” Casiño said.
“If you want to reach more mothers sa advocacy, letting them know about it is not enough. You need to present them with solutions they need to invest on kung gusto nila ma-meet ilang (if they want to meet their) goals,” she added.
From Monday to Saturday at 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., mothers can avail to their services and products such as Prenatal Massage, Lactation Massage, Baby Massage, and others.
Alima also offers nutrition and lactation counseling and management and workshops, namely: PUYA Newborn baby Workshop, KAYA Working Mom Workshop, and KAIN Complementary Feeding Workshop.
Its first class/workshop, Casiño said, will start on June 1.
Mothers have nothing to worry, she assured, as those who are working for Alima are registered nurses and breastfeeding counselors and advocates for years.
“In the first place, we really made sure that we know the contraindications of massage, what to look for. And as nurses, kabalo man mi mo (we know how to) assess when it really is bawal (prohibited) or not,” Casiño said.
“To take care of someone, specially a mom, mao ma na sya ang among tumong. To care for the carers, to nurture the nurturers. Because when you care for your mom, you’re actually caring for you kay kung maayo ang ga-care sa imo (if the one who cares for you is good), mas maayo ang iyang pag take care sa (they take good care for your) whole family. Mao na sya ang point sa Alima,” she said.