Malnutrition is a reality for 50% of infants and children in
Lesotho. Malnutrition is a broad
term that encompasses both quantity and quality of food consumed. Malnutrition can be chronic or acute
and can result in growth failure, macronutrient and micronutrient
deficiencies. If left untreated, the
effects of malnutrition can be irreversible.
Around Mokhotlong camptown, TTL is known as the organization
that, ‘makes babies fat.’ We are
proud of our reputation and happy to see the infants and children in our care
flourish. Infants and children
that are supported in the safe home spend, on average, four months receiving
intensive nutritional, medical, emotional and developmental support – but we’d
like to see that length of stay reduced.
Recently, we reviewed and changed the safe home diet to make it more
nutritionally complete while still utilizing locally available foods and
adhering to cultural preferences.
We have increased the amount of healthy fat in the diet, added more
fresh fruits and vegetables, increased the amount of animal protein and created
age-specific dietary plans.
Although there is nothing quite like walking into a safe home full of
thriving infants and children, we are hopeful that these changes will result in
a more timely reunification process. We look forward to monitoring and evaluating these changes and hope to
enjoy the fruits of our efforts!
 |
| 'Me Manthati providing a little taste testing along the way |
 |
'Me Maliphoofolo scooping some avocado to add to the mashed potatoes
|
 |
| Lehlohonolo, affectionately nicknamed Ntate Makoenya for his chubby cheeks, likes the new diet! |
