The project helps to improve the nutritional status of children from 0 to 3 years of age in shanty towns in Lima, Peru. To achieve this, we work with parents, increasing their knowledge about healthy eating, positive parenting and caring for their children. Because Peru is the third country in Latin America with the highest rate of childhood anemia, we focus on improving the knowledge of parents in the preparation of foods rich in iron.
According to official statistics, 26% of the Peruvian population lives in conditions of extreme poverty, while 35% lives at risk of poverty; however, in our area of influence, extreme poverty is 30%. Similarly, the percentage of children with anemia in urban areas is 37% and the national rate of chronic malnutrition is 12%. This is the reality that children face and for this reason our project helps parents improve the nutritional status and quality of life of their children.
Our theory of change proposes that if we guide parents on how to feed their children better, how to care for and protect them and also monitor the health status of these children, we will have helped to improve their quality of life and develop their full potential when they become adults.
A well-cared for and well-nourished child will be able to break the cycle of poverty, because they will have adequately developed their brain and this will allow them to perform at school, improve their education and achieve their own development.
