Empower 100 Child Brides in Pakistan

Estimates suggest that more than 150 million malnourished children around the world are under 5 years of age. It is also well recognized that half of the 12 million deaths among children under 5, or almost 54% of young child mortality in developing countries, can be linked to malnutrition.

Studies suggest that malnutrition has a multiplicative effect on the risk of mortality from infectious diseases.Like other major health issues, malnutrition is a prevalent problem in the South Asian region. Half of the world’s malnourished women and children are found in just three countries: Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. South Asia is the worst affected region and presents what has been termed an “Asian Enigma” due to high rates of low birth weight (LBW), unhygienic conditions, unsatisfactory breastfeeding and weaning practices and the poor status of women.

Malnutrition is a recognized health problem in Pakistan and plays a substantial role in the country’s elevated child morbidity and mortality rates. Due to its correlation with infections, malnutrition in Pakistan currently threatens maternal and child survival, especially in poor and underdeveloped areas. 

Moringa is a resilient and vitamin-rich plant that serves as a dietary supplement for many societies worldwide. It support biodiversity and prevents soil erosion by keepth earth full of nutrients. Moringa is an important food source in some parts of the world. Because it can be grown cheaply and easily, and the leaves retain lots of vitamins and minerals when dried, Moringa is used in India and Africa in feeding programs to fight malnutrition. 

Moringa is a plant that is native to the sub-Himalayan areas of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It is also grown in the tropics. The leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root are used to make medicine. But is not familiar in Pakistan except flowers and fruit.  

Under the project 'Empower 100 Child Brides in Pakistan", Jaag team made a consultation and review in the project and suggested that improvement in health as well as boost economical condition of victims of child marriage, Moringa culture be promoted and made following decisions:

1. Prepare a nursary to propagate Moringa seedling for distribution 10 seedlings to Victims of Child Marriage
2. Awareness Raising for the benefits of Moringa Oleifera and its dosage with mentioning side effects
3. Develop a strategy to collect Moringa Oleifera Leave, process and selling of Moringa Oleifere Leaf Powder
4. Develop a Marketing Strategy and linkage development for export the organic moringa leaf powder
5. Develop a feasiblity report and linkage / partnership development for establishment of Processing Plant 

Under the above decision Project Team done following activities during the last quarter:

• Project has developed a Nursary where 1000 Plants are being prepared and will be deliver in next quarter 
• Project delivered this information to one group of Child marriage and motivate to collect Moringa Oleifera Leave and collected 200 Kilogram Leave on payment to these  and process it.
• The powder was provided to more than 100 persons including victims of child marriage for verification and getting confidence  

People responsing in positive and this can be a step forward for this project because Moringa Oleifera is commonly available and grow easily and cheaply while a tree can be provided 200 to 400 KG leaves in a year means PKR 3000 to PKR 6000 from each tree(Fruit and Seed including), While each victim of Child Marriage will be provided 10 seedling to grow in 500 Sft area easily available in rural areas. 

Moringa became the milestone for this project to turn the direction to enrich and nourish the malnutrient girls and Child Brides and simultanously economical beneficial. This is all because of your kind and generous support .

Links:

• for reference and information about Moringa