Soy product factories help fight chronic child malnutrition in Guatemala
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2009) – In the remote mountains of Guatemala, the number of children suffering from chronic malnutrition is higher than in many African countries. In response, Food For The Poor donors have invested in soy product factories to supply orphanages and day care centers with a nutritious dairy-alternative, and to make affordable soy products available to surrounding communities.
“It might surprise some people to learn that Guatemala, which is not the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has by far the worst situation in regards to nutrition and children,” said Angel Aloma, Food For The Poor’s Executive Director. “More than half of Guatemala’s population lives below the poverty line.”
Earlier this month, Wadid Daoud, a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Weston, Fla., traveled to Guatemala with Food For The Poor to witness firsthand how soy product factories can revitalize and energize communities. Since March, Daoud has raised funds to build 11 soy product factories in Guatemala.
“It was an unforgettable experience to meet the children who are now able to receive proper nutrition on a regular basis,” Daoud said. “The recipients were genuinely grateful and have accomplished so much in a short period of time. I promise to visit the people of Guatemala again.”
As a child, Daoud was moved by the sight of neglected children, and dreamed he would someday be fortunate enough to help them.
While in Guatemala visiting a soy factory, Daoud read and was inspired by a message that hung high on a cafeteria wall. The purpose of the message – to motivate the young boys who called the school home: “A vision without action is barely a dream, an action without vision barely passes time, however a vision with action can change the world.”
Today, Daoud is partnering with Food For The Poor to fulfill his dream and change the lives of others.
To support relief efforts in Guatemala, checks should be made out to Food For The Poor and include a special code “SC# 71209″ so the money can be tracked. All gifts are tax-deductible and can be made by calling 1-877654-2960, ext. 6603.
Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. We provide emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.
Contact:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Public Relations Coordinator
(954) 427-2222 x 6065
[email protected]
