Feed hungry children in Kenya

Nicolas Ngumbau is a beautiful healthy baby being cared for by his grandmother (see photo). Unfortunately Nicolas will never be able to know his mother, who was 21 years old when she passed away due to childbirth complications. She went to a local hospital and was sent home after delivering Nicolas. During her first week at home she became ill, and returned to the hospital, but died that same night. Nicholas was barely a week old and he was already an orphan.

Maternal death during childbirth is tragically common in rural Kenya. When the newborn infant survives after the death of the mother, there is a very high probability that the infant will also die in the first 6 months of life. One of the reasons for this high mortality is the lack of availability of a safe substitute for breast milk. Infant formula is expensive and is only available in the distant cities. If not prepared and used carefully, formula feeding can cause repeated episodes of diarrhea, with dehydration and malnutrition. Global Health Partnerships (GHP) provides a supply of infant formula for newborn infants when breastfeeding is not possible. The Kenyan nurses who work with the GHP project also provide the important education about hygiene and sanitation for prevention of diarrhea.

The GHP project “Feed Hungry Children in Kenya” includes the provision of infant formula for safe feeding of babies like Nicholas who have lost their mother during childbirth. Nicholas is the fourth infant who has been enrolled in this part of the project. The other three infants are also healthy and growing normally.

The therapeutic feeding of malnourished children with Plumpy’nut is also continuing. Two severely malnourished children have recently been enrolled, and six others are recovering on “Plumpy’sup,” which is used during the recovery phase.

The success of this project that feeds newborns, infants, and children can only be accomplished through your generous support. Over 95% of the donations that are received by GHP go directly into program services!