Give A Child Life

Enough to Eat

Over the past few weeks, infant care in Kiandutu has taken a new turn. Two days ago infants between six and twelve months old began receiving a hot, nourishing daily meal...courtesy of GCL friends like you. In homes where mothers scrape by on odds and ends and a decent meal is hard to find, the right nutrition can make a huge difference. Chronic hunger at this age affects brain development; lack of sufficient food can make it hard for a child to ever learn or control emotions like anger.

Starting this week, GCL is providing meals to infants at three day care centers. We're also fixing hot meals for young children brought by their mothers to a central location. The goal is for every young child in Kiandutu to have enough to eat.

 Debbie

Worst Drought in 60 Years.

Right now, over ten million Africans are suffering from terrible drought. The United Nations has classified it as a humanitarian emergency that is rapidly deteriorating.

In Kenya, it’s the worst drought in over 15 years. With no rain, much of the crops and livestock have died. Food prices across the country have gone up about 80%--not just produce, but even staples like cornmeal and rice.

In Kiandutu, where desperately poor families live on a razor-thin margin of survival, the impact of these increased costs is severe.  Last week,  our support group mothers expressed grave concern over how they will feed their children. Many families requested emergency food baskets, and GCL is working on a plan to help them through this crisis. 

 

For Only $1.55 Per Child Per Day.

Several weeks ago, 30 hungry little boys and girls at the Kiandutu Juniors Nursery School in Kenya began enjoying a nutritious daily lunch provided by caring people like you.  It’s a simple meal of corn flour, beans, and cabbage , but for most of them, it will be the only food they eat all day.

Recently  their mothers told GCL's program manager, Charity, how grateful they were for the food. One said, “I go to work without the hassle of wondering what they will eat for lunch, without having to find and deliver food in the afternoon. Now I can work a full day.” A burden has been lifted from the women’s shoulders.

For only $1.55 per child per day, it’s incredible what an enormous impact we can have. 

 

Here is Allen one week later.

Last week I wrote about little Allen, the one-year-old we found weighing seven pounds in the Kiandutu slum. We rushed him to a children’s center…here is Allen one week later. You can see for yourself the difference food alone can make. 

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Give a family medical kit or food package for Christmas.

Want to do something really special this Christmas? Give A Child Life is putting together family medical kits and food packages for the young children in El Zaite. It will be a tough holiday this year, with many children suffering from constant hunger. When kids are hungry, they’re more likely to get sick. And their mothers can’t afford even the most basic medicines. Give a child hope. Go to  www.giveachildlife.org (check greatest need) or send your check to Give A Child Life, P.O. Box 554, Silverado, CA 92676. You can make a difference! Thanks.

Family Medical Kits (50 Needed): 

No.	Description	Price
1	Alcohol 250 ml	$1.80
1	Wound disinfectant	$2.00
1	Cotton	$1.50
5	Gauze	$1.00
10	Band-aids	$0.50
1	Bottle of liquid tylenol	$2.50
30	Acetaminofen tables	$1.00
30	Flu tablets	$1.00
30	Anti-inflammatory tablets	$1.50
1	Anti-diarrhea bottle	$2.00
1	Bag for kit	$2.00
	Total	$16.80

Family Food Kits: 

Count	Description	Price
5 pounds	RICE	$2.50
5 pounds	SUGAR	$2.25
5 pounds	BEANS	$4.00
1 bag	OIL	$1.50
1 bar	EXTRA SOAP	$1.75
	Total	$12.00