Party for couples kicks off family planning trend
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Duero, Bohol – It was a party that changed their lives.
Party-going was far from his mind when Alfie Obbamen learned that
his wife, Elyn, was pregnant with their second child last year. But the
invitation to go to a Couple’s Party was so “inviting” that Alfie and
Elyn chimed: “Why not?”
So off they went with 50 other couples to the first ever gathering that
the Duero Municipal Health Office in Bohol organized to share stories
and information on family planning.
Municipal Health Officer Victor Alan Torrefranca and his team of
health workers welcomed the couples, held fun games, facilitated
discussions, and encouraged the couples to plan their families.
“Before this party, there was minimal information dissemination
on family planning”, Torrefranca said. At the party, information
was aplenty and Alfie and Elyn went home, not just with gifts
of household items but also with the gift of “informed decision”.
After the party, we went to our rural health midwife to be counseled
on a method that is appropriate for us”. Elyn said in the local dialect.
She started taking pills after she gave birth.
“Now that we only have two children to look after, my family
has ample time to be together. We are able to save a little. And
most of all, Elyn and I have more time for each other”, said Alfie.
Today, other towns have followed the leadoff Duero. “I want to inspire
and persuade other municipalities to hold a similar health event
to motivate behavior change among couples”, Torrefranca said.
Since Duero started its family planning program, current users
among couples have jumped fourfold from 2008 to 2010. As of July
2010, the Duero Municipal Health Office has already reported 433
couples accessing family planning services from local health facilities.
Alfie and Elyn too have gone out of their way to talk to relatives and
neighbors about family planning.
“At the party, we pledged to share with others what we learned”, said
Elyn.
“And we repeated the vow we made when we got married”, Alfie
added. “Love each other, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in
health, till death do us part.”
