Nutrition / Health Program

Although Uganda's landscape is generally recognized as having fertile soil, many of its citizens go hungry and have sub-standard diets. High risk groups include those children being supported at the orphanages. For obvious reasons –– overcrowding, limited resources, virtually no access to good nutrition habits or the most basic health care –– the homeless and orphaned children of PI reflect the decades of civil strife and the scourge of AIDS across the country. More often than not, even those already within our loving care typically only get one meal a day –– a mash of beans and corn flour. They often go without any green vegetables, fruit, or other basic/necessary foods for good health. As a result, besides living with constant hunger, they are even more vulnerable to disease because they lack basic nutrients and the ability to develop a proper immune system facilitated by a proper diet.

Because of this, PI's goal is to achieve a self-sustaining model for these children's health and nutrition needs, and medical attention through our health and nutrition program. At several of our locations, the acquisition of additional land and training in agriculture is enabling the facilities to raise livestock and cultivate crops to improve the orphans' diets.

In addition, we offer the expertise of a Health and Nutrition specialist, who works with all of our facilities. The specialist supervises diet planning, ensuring the children have access to basic nutritional guidance. The specialist also evaluates and monitors the health of each child, and helps develop and implement health programs that educate children about a healthy diet and how to take care of themselves and each other.

The primary Health/Nutrition program goals:

• Provide the children a solid understanding of the importance of nutrition in their lives.
• Design, implement, and monitor nutrition plans for each home. The Health and Nutrition Specialist works closely with the Agricultural Specialist to ensure that the fruits and vegetables grown are sufficient in quality and quantity to feed the children.
• Develop age-appropriate skills that enable children to practice good health-related habits and basic health/sanitary care.
• Teach the children the issues/consequences related to HIV/AIDS.

Financial support is needed to pay for the following nutrition/health program needs:

• The salary for two Health and Nutrition specialists.
• Dietary/nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and/or amino acids.
• Supplies for training (posters, books, etc.)
• HIV educational materials
• Basic medical supplies: body creams, soap, shampoos, antiseptic creams, mosquito spray and netting for beds, sheets, blankets, pillows, bandages, sanitary products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.

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