Feed 30 malnourished young children in Kenyan slum

Dear Friends,

It is always amazing to me to see what the impact of a small gift of love and compassion can do for the life of a child! Knoti was one such child in the Kiandutu slums, that entered our  Macheo Malnourished Children's Program to receive daily food and care. Read Seth's report from Macheo Kenya and realize how your donation was used in the life of this particular child.

Thank you for your continued support, so that we can keep saving children like Knoti.

Regards

Anne Thompson

From the Field......

Beyond the age of 6 months, breast milk alone is insufficient to meet the child’s nutritional needs, hence complementary foods must be provided in addition to breast milk. During this time many children start to suffer due to malnutrition. Lack of clean water and proper nutrition weakens their immune systems and invite infectious diseases, leading to health problems that can last a lifetime and into the next generation.

Through our intervention for assisting malnourished children, we promote timely introduction of appropriate and adequate complementary foods in order to ensure the child has adequate nutrition and health. While the children are recovering on their health, our nutritionist teaches the mothers safe nutritional practices and proper food preparation. This not only ensures that the children stay healthy once they leave but also the entire family's nutrition benefits from the caregiver's training.

“Meet Kinoti, one of the 34 children identified with acute malnourishment during the field visits in Kiandutu by the Macheo area social worker. He looked frail and bony at that time. He was easily irritated and didn’t want to be disturbed. When Kinoti was taken into the intervention of assisting malnourished children at our outreach centre in Kiandutu, he was put on supplementary feeding program for 3 months. He was fed on nutritious food consisting of a well balanced diet. He was also dewormed and treated for a flu he was suffering from. His parents were very much concerned for his wellness and they were eager to commit to the therapeutic program, especially his father. Kinoti's caregiver, who also underwent a series of seminars, including preparing a balanced food with locally available foods, hygiene and care practice sessions. Because of his parent's dedication to his son's treatment, Kinoti showed gradual improvement week after week. his weight increased from 5.4 kg upon admission to 7.4 kg and his mid-upper arm circumference increased from 9.5 cm to 13.5 cm. After staying in the outreach program for three months, Kinoti will be exited from the centre and continuous follow ups at home will be made to ensure he is completely recovered.

Kinoti is now a happy and active kid, benefiting from good health and nourishment. Despite poor and unfavorable conditions in Kiandutu, Kinoti is now enjoying a life above the level of malnutrition because of his parents' love and improved child care knowledge and practices "