In 1999, at the beginning of the 3-H Grant, Nigeria's population was 113.8 million, the largest country in Africa with a Fertility Rate of 6.2 children.  By 2005, the population had grown to 131.5 million, but with a lower Fertility Rate of 5.53 children. The median age in 2005 was 18, ensuring continued population growth. The second large Project (below) begun in 2005 should result in an even lower Fertility Rate in the project area of northern Nigeria.

1. First 3-H Grant 1999

Following two earlier Matching Grant Pilot Projects in Child Spacing, the 3-H Grant was approved by the Rotary Foundation in 1999. This 3-H Grant received $500,000 in Rotary Foundation money and a David and Lucille Packard grant of $1,200,000. The goal was to reduce infant and maternal mortality by impressing on mothers the benefits of Child Spacing. To accomplish this goal, reproductive health training programs were carried out to increase contraceptive use from 6% to 15% in the first three years with a ten year goal of 50%

This 3-H project worked to educate, not only the general population of Northern Nigeria on these issues, but also to train doctors, midwives and other health workers on a variety of health care topics. Specific project objectives were to:

• Educate and inform families through public awareness campaigns - town criers etc.
• Train doctors, nurses, midwives, female health workers, traditional birth attendants
• Supply needed medical and health equipment in hospitals
• Establish child spacing services in these hospitals and at the grassroots level in existing health centers
• Involve the community at all levels including state and local governments, religious leaders, and teaching hospitals.
• Involve local Rotary clubs

Testimonial:
  " I am Jummai Mohammed, a 36 year old woman living in the northern part of Nigeria.  I live with my husband of 24 years in Zaria.  When time allows, I trade small goods to help make ends meet.  We have 12 children, eight of them alive. In my neighborhood lives Hajai Hauwa who is a traditional birth attendant.  She has been trained in counseling and Child Spacing through the Rotary Child Spacing project.  At the local Government Health Clinic, a nurse examined me and prescribed an IUCD (intra-uterine contraceptive device). This service has completely turned my life around for the better. Socially, there are better relations with my husband, now that we know that not every intercourse will result in a pregnancy.  My health is better now, and I always say thanks to God and to Hajai Hauwa."

2. Second large project 2005-2008

Following the RI Presidential Conference on Population Concerns in Abuja, Nigeria in August 2003, a new, large Grant was received from the Rotary Foundation (3-H Grants were not awarded at that time). The project title is "Improvement of Mother's Health – Prevention and Treatment of Obstetric Fistula." Objectives are to improve mothers' health and to develop programs to prevent and treat obstetric fistula.

Obstetric Fistula is a break in the wall between the bladder, vagina, and rectum which occurs when there is protracted labor. It most often occurs in young mothers under age 20 who are not fully developed. As a result, the baby dies and the mother is left with holes (fistulas) which become infected. Most such women are ostracized and even abandoned by their husband and families. About 1 million women suffer from this condition just in Nigeria.

Toal project funds were USD $1,240,000 broken down as follows:

• $450,000 Matching Grant from the Rotary Foundation ($150,000 TRF and $300,000 from clubs and districts)
• USD $390,000 from the Adventis Foundation
• USD $20,000 from IAMANEH (International Association of Maternal and Neonatal Health)
• USD $380,000 from the German government