This ten-month-old child weighed only 7.3 pounds when he was brought to a clinic run by Meds and Foods for Kids (MFK) near Cap Haitein, Haiti. He had visible signs of severe malnutrition: sunken abdomen, ribs visible through the skin, reddish-colored hair. His mother had died when he was five months old. He was being cared for by a 30 year old cousin and, occasionally, a grandmother. His cousin was given a supply of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to feed him at home for the next week.

 The RUTF was made with equipment provided by Toddler Food Partners. RUTF is known locally as "Medika Mamba."  MFK is one of our partner organizations.

Just two weeks into the Medika Mamba program, the child weighed 8.6 pounds. Medika mamba can be eaten directly from the container. It does not have to be mixed with water which could contaminate the food. The child was brought back to the clinic on a weekly basis to be weighed, measured and examined for other medical problems.

Seven Weeks - 9.4 pounds

 After seven weeks, he had gained substantially, now weighing 9.4 pounds.  He was starting to regain his health: plump cheeks, renewed hair growth, renewed energy.

 Twelfth Week - 11.8 pounds

  After twelve weeks of receiving the energy dense medika mamba, the child was transformed into a healthy, energetic little boy.