One meal, two lives: support pregnant women

Thanks to the invaluable support received through the GlobalGiving platform, the Diakonia Food Bank has significantly strengthened the actions of the SEMILLAS Project, an initiative that seeks to prevent chronic child malnutrition in Guayaquil by supporting pregnant women in vulnerable situations. The funds received have become a source of hope and well-being, generating a real impact on the health and quality of life of the beneficiaries.

During this period, the donations allowed for specialized medical care to be provided to pregnant women living in areas of extreme poverty in the city. This care ensured comprehensive health monitoring, promoting safer pregnancies and strengthening malnutrition prevention from the gestational stage. Each medical check-up represents a firm step toward a more supported, informed, and healthy motherhood.

Likewise, the resources obtained made it possible to develop food education workshops, where the women learned to prepare nutritious, balanced, and affordable meals. These workshops not only strengthened their nutritional knowledge but also boosted their self-esteem and autonomy by training them in the proper use of food and the importance of a balanced diet during pregnancy.

Nutritious food was also distributed to the project's beneficiaries, prioritizing families living in areas of extreme poverty in Guayaquil. Each distribution was an opportunity to bring hope, relief, and support to households that struggle daily with food insecurity, reaffirming Diakonia's commitment to human dignity and the right to good nutrition.

As a next step, the project seeks to acquire food kits for home preparation, in order to strengthen the beneficiaries' food sovereignty and ensure they continue to apply the knowledge gained in the workshops within their families. With the ongoing support of GlobalGiving and all the generous people who believe in our cause, we will continue sowing opportunities and reaping healthier and more hopeful lives.

Desde su inicio en 2023, el proyecto ha favorecido al 100% de sus beneficiarias prevenientes de sectores vulnerables de Guayaquil, como Paraíso de la Flor, Monte Sinaí y Balerio Estacio. Esta iniciativa busca prevenir la desnutrición crónica infantil mediante la provisión de alimentos nutritivos, formación en hábitos saludables y acompañamiento médico y comunitario. Hemos servido más de 70,000 platos con un 64% de aporte nutricional, entregado 600 kits alimentarios y 800 kits de asistencia humanitaria para madres y sus hijos.

En los últimos meses, realizamos talleres sobre nutrición, primeros auxilios, recetas saludables y cuidado infantil, con el apoyo de aliados como el Ministerio de Salud Pública, la Cruz Roja del Guayas y la Secretaría Técnica Ecuador Crece sin Desnutrición Infantil. Además, consolidamos alianzas estratégicas con la Municipalidad de Guayaquil, fortaleciendo la sostenibilidad del proyecto y asegurando el seguimiento médico y nutricional.

Una de nuestras beneficiarias, madre de dos niños, compartió: "Antes no sabía cómo alimentar bien a mis hijos, ahora aprendí a preparar comidas sanas y ahora ellos están más fuertes. Ya no me siento sola, tengo apoyo y esperanza". Historias como esta nos impulsan a seguir trabajando por una niñez libre de desnutrición.

Gracias a tu generosa donación y a nuestros patrocinadores, este proyecto es posible. Gracias por confiar en nosotros, por sembrar con nosotros y por ayudar a transformar la vida de cientos de familias. ¡Seguimos adelante gracias a ti!

Links:

• https://guayaquil.gob.ec/encuentro-resalto-ordenanza-prevencion-desnutricion-cronica-infantil/
• https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=415487438093725
• https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=935389478551523