Thousands of donors like you joined in the Fight for 5 and helped us surpass our 2009 goal of raising $1.8 million. With every donation, a child in need received a blanket to keep them warm and give them comfort. Plus, what we were able to accomplish with the funds raised is truly amazing.

More than 154,000 lives have changed

Read on to learn about some of the successes in three of the countries we are working in.

In Tanzania, we helped improve children's health and nutrition by providing training and support to parents, health workers and communities. Over 2,900 parents learned good child feeding habits and more than 270 health staff, child health workers and traditional birth attendants received training on breast feeding or feeding practices for infants and young children. We also supported training on oral rehydration, diarrhea management and immunization guidelines.

Essential supplies also reached the children who needed them. More than 100,000 children under the age of five and mothers received vitamin A supplements, and more than 20,000 doses of antibiotics were available to treat children with acute respiratory infections.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Vision Hearth program identified mothers with healthy, well-nourished children in the villages, provided them with additional support and training, and then assisted them to lead mothers' groups. Through Hearth, 56 mothers’ groups learned about effective nutrition and health, food safety, child care and hygiene practices. More than 130 volunteers received the training and resources to monitor the growth of children and conduct follow-up visits at home to encourage mothers in applying the new practices.   Children under five at risk from malnutrition were identified, and 395 malnourished children were rehabilitated.

In Mauritania, through Hearth programs, 71 mothers' groups were held and 10 children with severe malnutrition were referred for special treatment. Hearth volunteers were trained and equipped to identify malnourished children, admit these children into community Hearth sessions and rehabilitate these children with locally available foods, education, counselling and ongoing growth monitoring.

Abd now has dinner every night

At only a year old, Abd had suffered from malnutrition for most of his young life. His mother Khaythe struggled to keep his weight up, but had little success until she took the Hearth program. Over 12 days, Khaythe learned how to make nutritious meals with local, inexpensive ingredients. She also learned new habits to ensure Abd was eating enough. Children in their community traditionally did not have an evening meal, but now Abd eats dinner every night. He's gained weight, has healthy regular meals, and is no longer at immediate risk from malnutrition. Khaythe is now sharing her knowledge with other women in the community.

You helped one child at a time

Your donation supported the life-changing programs and resources essential in the Fight for 5. Nutritious foods, vitamins and supplements provide a child with a better diet. Oral rehydration therapy and safe, clean drinking water can rescue a child suffering from chronic diarrhea. Immunization protects a child from preventable diseases such as measles. Bed nets shield a child from contracting malaria while he or she sleeps. Antibiotics can treat a child suffering from an infection such as pneumonia.

The solutions seem simple, but we cannot deliver them without your support. Thank you for giving a child a fighting chance to survive until the age of five.