What we do

What
we do

Nutrition

A child’s largest, most measurable growth, mental and physical development happens in the first five years of their lives. This is the “sponge” stage where they soak up everything. Their brains are malleable and highly impressionable at this time. In addition, the cornerstone of a healthy body is a healthy mind. Neither a body nor its computer, the brain, can work effectively if it’s not in a correct working state as a result of being fed the right nutrients. Unfortunately chronic malnutrition is an issue that is highly prevalent and grossly ignored in South Africa.

How do we prevent malnutrition?

Monitoring

Our fieldworkers track and measure the growth of pre-school children with the help of our partners Opportunity International. This allows us to capture data and analyse effectively. These assessments allow us to timeously identify if a child’s lack of growth is a result of pathological problems or nutritional insufficiency.

Weight & height

every 2 – 6 months to monitor physical growth.

Head circumference

every 3 – 6 months to monitor brain growth.

Haemoglobin

once a year to detect low iron levels that gives us an indication whether a child is getting sufficient oxygen supply to the brain due to the iron shortage.

Mid-upper arm circumference

(MUAC) is the circumference of the left upper arm, measured at the mid-point between the tip of the shoulder and the tip of the elbow (olecranon process and the acromium). MUAC is used for the assessment of nutritional status.

Deworming

Deworming is a critical part of our programme – it’s a prophylactic treatment that every child receives. Worm infestation mostly starts in the intestinal tract thus the worm “lives” on the child’s nutritional intake and therefore starves the child’s body – and the brain – of vital nutrients to grow and improve.

Eye & hearing assessments

Eye and hearing assessments are done from four years upwards. Coupled with a lack of brain development, low blood count and anaemia are also linked to poor eye health, therefore it is crucial to detect at a young age. This is also funding related.

Nutrilite
Little Bits

Nutrilite™ Little Bits™ Dietary Supplement is a scientifically developed micronutrient supplement enhanced with organic plant nutrients that provides 15 essential vitamins and minerals.

A one gram package of Nutrilite™ Little Bits™ Dietary Supplement mixed once a day with a breakfast/lunch solution provides the nutrients required for optimal growth and development. Nutrilite™ Little Bits™ Dietary Supplement has no taste, flavour or texture so it will be accepted by children from any culture.

Nutrilite™ Little Bits™ Dietary Supplement can help reduce and prevent micronutrient deficiency, including iron deficiency and aenemia. Scientific research has shown that this can improve important developmental behaviours in children – such as being more active, talkative and motivated to learn and play. Where Nutrilite™ Little Bits™ Dietary Supplement is used, thousands of malnourished children around the world survive, thrive, play and grow.