By Anne Thompson | President Macheo US
The Kiandutu slum is characterized by poorly build houses, no proper drainage system, inadequate latrines and no system to dispose of waste materials. The residents, living in these circumstances without knowledge of hygiene, nutrition or health, are suffering from illnesses impacting their lives. Parents are incapable of sustainable work and therefore unable to support their children. Children are not developing well and cannot attend school. Poor hygiene and lack of knowledge leads to life effecting situations when young mums get complications at birth or do not know how to take care of their newborn baby. Macheo social workers identify children and parents or guardians (to be) in need and admit them into one of their four Health Programs. Each of the programs provides information on hygiene, nutrition, medical care, or facilitates access to medical care and psychosocial support.
Macheo US funds one of these programs, along with donors from the Netherlands: Malnourished Children Program
The Malnourished Children Program serves children under the age of 5 in the Kiandutu slum. The children are identified by Macheo’s fieldworkers and are cared for at KOP (Kiandutu Outreach Project). At any given time, the program help 30 children. The children are fed with nutritious food so that they attain normal nutritional status. The guardians of these children are trained on various topics which help them to sustain good health of their children. The topics include child development, health and hygiene, nutrition, budgeting and other relevant topics.
A story of recipient Joseph, as reported from Macheo
Joseph is the second born in the family of two children. His elder sister Teresia is 5 years old. According to the mother to Joseph the husband was not providing for the family. When Joseph was one year old the parents separated and the mother ran away leaving the child with his father who didn’t care at all. Poor Joseph, the breastfeeding was cut off and no alternative was provided for his survival.
When the mother came back after several months Joseph was in a bad state. He was identified and assessed and found to be moderately malnourished. He weighed 16 lbs at an age of 1 year and 5 months and suffered from delayed milestone, that is he could not crawl and was only sitting. Joseph was enrolled in the Malnourished Children Program.
Joseph's parent was cooperative and was attending seminars at all times. Joseph progressed well and within 3 months he recovered from the delayed milestone and his nutrition status. He was exited from the program within 5 months, having attained a normal nutrition status, could walk and was weighing 21 lbs. The parent was grateful to Macheo for the support and even to see her child in good health and walking.
Macheo is so grateful for the impact Macheo US is having on the funding to lift these children out of their desperate situations. Know that your donations are effecting young lives every day.
With Thanks,
Anne Thompson
President Macheo US
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