Full Donor ListThe need
According to UNICEF, malnutrition causes half of children’s deaths worldwide. While such statistics elicit mental pictures of frail children on the brink of starvation, perhaps the more disturbing news is that most of the malnutrition-related deaths occur in children with only moderate or mild malnutrition. In Guatemala, for example, while malnutrition contributes to 48 percent of deaths in children under age five, 83 percent of these deaths occur in children whose level of malnutrition is considered moderate or mild. Because of its devastating effects, malnutrition has been dubbed “the silent killer.” Its morbidity is attributable to its exacerbation of otherwise minor health problems. Malnutrition most often joins forces with common infectious diseases to create a deadly combination. Ironically, both-malnutrition and illness can be combated by modest control of hygiene and dietary conditions.
In Guatemala undernourishment among youth, mothers with babies and the elderly has increased over the past few years in part due to diminished family income and local food supplies, both caused by serious droughts experienced during the past three years. Nutritional insecurity is reflected in the low birth weight of newborns. Twelve percent (12%) of Guatemalan babies are born undernourished. Chronic undernourishment stands at 49.3% for children aged 5 years and younger. This represents nearly 1 million children. The presence of undernourishment is three times greater when the mothers lack formal education. Children are most vulnerable to the affects of malnutrition. Countries like Guatemala are deficient in necessary proteins, and micronutrients found in dairy products.
The solution
To address the critical level of malnutrition in Guatemala, soy products are being produced as affordable and nutritious sources of nutrients. The introduction of soy products as staple commodities has had a major impact on improving and enhancing nutrition intake. For Guatemala, the byproduct of soymilk has proven to be an excellent dairy alternative. Soymilk is enriched with protein and micronutrients, which help reduce disease and eliminate malnutrition. And, the cost is generally within means for most impoverished populations.
Food For The Poor, Caritas Arquidiocesana, and the USDA have teamed to promote the production of and educate Guatemalan communities about the valuable byproducts of soymilk. The Soy Products Factories Project 2009 will create factories for the production of soymilk and other nutritional soy foods, which will supply a constant source of nutrition to orphanages and day-care centers, as well as make availability to communities an affordable source of dairy nutrition.
How you can help
“For I rescued the poor who cried out for help, the orphans and the unassisted…”(Job 29:12)
Our goal is to raise $100,000, which will supply 25 orphanages with a soymilk factory. Different levels of support are available for any amount of money. Each Soya factory costs $4,000.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful consideration and interest in teaming with us to help these destitute orphans. May our Lord bless you as you have blessed the poor.
Read article:
http://www.foodforthepoor.org/newsroom/news/soy-product-factories-help.html
Guest Book
Sign the Guest Book
