"What happens to another, be that a joy or a sorrow, happens to me." (Meister Eckhart)

Major problem for our Children: High rate of malnutrition

According to India's National Nutritional Bureau, more than half the deaths of newborn to five-year-old children are directly or indirectly related to malnutrition and only nine percent are nutritionally normal. Stunting is widespread in our children as they succumb to malnutrition in the first two years of their lives.

National Nutrition Monitoring bureau(2012) – 55 %of pre school children were under weight, 52% stunted and 15% wasted

National Family Health Survey -3 (2005-06)

46% of children under three years of age being underweight, according to NFHS-3 (2005-2006).
Infant mortality is still high at 57 per 1,000 births
Full vaccination coverage: 44% of 12 to 23-month-old children receiving all the recommended vaccinations
Only 58% of children with diarrhea were taken to a health facility.
19.1% of infants are wasting (have low weight for their height)
38.4% of all children under three years of age have stunted growth, a sign of prolonged under-nourishment.
45.9% of Indian children under three are underweight.

Nearly 80% of infants now have anemia

Children's nutrition should be a critical component of all programs dealing with the welfare of our children and our community at large.

Malnutrition leads to:

Susceptibility to fatal infections such as TB, Gastroenteritis and Pneumonia
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Anemia
Retarded physical growth
Permanent retardation of brain development

Every Child is assessed and followed up for their Nutritional Status in addition to other Health needs. Supplements of High-Protein-Energy Powders, Skim Milk Powder, Iron, Vitamins etc. are provided on a regular basis.

Though the process is slow and sometimes frustrating, it is certainly very worthwhile and extremely gratifying.

Nothing can compare to the joy one feels in seeing sad, malnourished and frightened children transform into happy, healthy and enthusiastic ones, ready to face and dream about their future tomorrows.