By Faizah A. Eerina | Communication Manager
In Bangladesh, malnutrition rates are significantly high, where a majority of the victims are children studying in preschool. About 54% of the children amongst 9.5 million children have stunted growth, 56% suffer from underweight and above 17% are wasted due to lacking in nutrition. According to a latest study, more than half of the children within the nation’s population are unable to reach their full potential due to acute malnutrition.
The children at JAAGO come from destitute backgrounds and often have to rely on a single meal a day at home for nutrition and energy. At JAAGO, it had been observed that the children are often exhausted, sleepy or are unable to concentrate in their classes the entire day. This not only hinders their ability to display their full potential but also affects their academic prospective.
Keeping in mind the condition from which these children come from, JAAGO had introduced the concept of nutrition boost, where the children are provided with healthy snacks that are high in vitamins and minerals.
Nutrition Boosts for All
In orderto ensure a well-balanced diet, the children are now being provided with a tiffin box containing bananas, a glass of milk and a pastry filled with savoury vegetables. Previously, the children were given lesser items as a part of their nutrition boost. After bringing in a dietician, who had assessed the condition of the children, it was deduced that the children required a wholesome meal in order for them to sustain through the entire four to five hours of school time.
On the other hand, we have introduced a nutrition dense food supplement once a week called MoniMix for the 3500 children in our 12 schools. This food supplement has slowly become a favourite for the children as it tastes like candy to them, but is infused with various types of minerals and vitamins. The supplement contains micronutrient blend of iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, Zinc and Folic Acid. Some of the benefits which is noted for MoniMix are that it enhances physical growth and brain development, improves concentration in various activities and increases concentration levels, develops memory functions and learning ability, develops a resistance towards diseases, creates appetite and reduces infections.
With the recent additions to the nutrition boost project, the budget has increased to feed these children. We are relying on the contributions of the donors and well-wishers in order to maintain this healthy and wholesome nutrition meals for the children.
Thank You Note
JAAGO Foundation would like to express our gratitude to the donors who are allowing our children to dream with a full stomach now. We seek your help in continuing to feed these children. In the words of Mother Teresa, “If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
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