April, 2014—Though her family didn’t know it, three-year-old Ha was severely malnourished. Surviving on a meager supply of rice, vegetables, and water, her body was starving for nutrients and protein.
More than one in four children like Ha suffer from malnutrition in the province of Lao Cai, one of the poorest in Vietnam. Here, Samaritan’s Purse is providing a life-saving nutrition and hygiene program to impoverished people in this area—all because of the prayers and financial support of people like you.
When our staff met young Ha, they supplied her family with nourishing food. In addition, the child’s mother joined many other parents from the region to learn how to decrease her family’s risk of diarrhea and sickness by hand-washing with soap; how to grow nutritious vegetables in their household gardens, and how to prepare nourishing meals.
The difference in the lives of these rural Vietnamese people is amazing.
Ha’s health has dramatically improved. In the eight months that she has received care from Samaritan’s Purse staff and her newly educated family, the little girl has grown and gained weight.
And thanks to the support of Canadians, Ha’s community is experiencing similar health benefits. Many children who were malnourished are now eating wholesome meals.
“I didn’t know it was that easy,” one excited mother said. “I thought I couldn’t afford to prepare porridge, so I didn’t do it for my daughter. But from now on, I will prepare porridge for her at home.”
Numerous children were also suffering from diarrhea, sore eyes and skin infections because livestock were living in such close proximity to the families’ homes. Today, many parents have realized the value of moving the animals farther from homesteads, and their children are much healthier because of it.
The prayers and financial support of people like you are changing the lives of impoverished people in Vietnam. Please continue to care for children like Ha in places like Lao Cai. Many of these people wouldn’t have an opportunity to live healthy lives without your help.
Our prayer is that through our nutrition and hygiene programs, many will come to know the Lord; “for as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations” (Isaiah 61:11, NIV).
Your donation to Medical Care Projects helps Samaritan’s Purse Canada meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable people around the world providing funds for life-saving medical equipment and surgical assistance, disease prevention initiatives and community health programs and training opportunities. We also offer spiritual support and eternal hope by meeting these critical needs while sharing the love of Christ.