One third of children in Mali are malnourished . The main reasons for malnutrition are poverty and lack of knowledge. Many parents don't know how to make healthy recipes or can't identify the symptoms of malnutrition.
In this West African country, World Vision staff members visit villages to weigh babies and toddlers. If they find many who are malnourished, staff will start the "Hearth Program."
Hearth Program
The Hearth Program trains mothers of healthy children to teach mothers of malnourished children how to prepare nutritious meals. Mothers of malnourished children continue the program until their children have gained sufficient weight. The program is supported through child sponsorship and benefits more than 40,000 children in 10 countries .
Justin's Story
In October 2003, one-year-old Justin began vomiting, refusing food, and losing weight. His parents took him to an unqualified medical practitioner who said he was sick and prescribed medication. But Justin continued to lose weight, becoming dangerously thin. Just as the family was about to give up hope, a World Vision nutrition consultant arrived in the village to weigh all children three years and under.
"[The consultant] told me Justin was not sick, he was severely malnourished. I was amazed," Justin's mother says. The Hearth Program helped Justin's mother, Mami learn how to add nutrients to the family's diet at minimal cost. In the months that followed, Justin gained weight steadily. Today he is very healthy—even robust—for his age.
to view a slide show of the Hearth Program in Mali.
