This year we began a new program to help in the education and prevention of mal-nutrition among infants and children in and around L'Acul and Bellvue. It just happened that in one week, several mothers came seeking help with their very sick children. Within 2 weeks, we had chosen 11 mothers and 13 children to participate each Wednesday morning for an hour or so in the beachside yard of the mission. They come hungry so the first order of business is to feed the children. At the time we began, Fish Ministries, working at Christianville Mission in Gressier, offered to furnish us with 120 fresh eggs every week to be used for school children and the needy. The first 32 eggs are boiled and sent to the pre-school at Epiphany Church across the road from us. The rest are boiled to be eaten here at the nutrition center and the remainder sent home for the week.

After everyone washes their hands, we feed the children and then the mothers or caregivers, often an older brother or sister. We have been able to give them a boiled egg, a peanut butter sandwich, a bowl of cereal and milk, and fresh fruit.

The children play with toys, look at books, or color while the mothers take a break and have a short lesson, then a craft or singing, or sometimes gardening. They are so eager to learn anything and seem to appreciate any activity. They share in the set-up and clean-up and in the singing and prayers. Most of the mothers are from 18 to 30, and sometimes there is a grandmother. About half can read some, but most have not completed secondary school.

We try to find out the living conditions of the sick children. We visit their homes and encourage planting a small garden. We have given lessons on treating drinking water, making and using oral rehydration salts, clean hands and hygiene, and basic food groups.

Presently there are 4 nursing mothers whose babies are healthy but we have included in order to monitor the health of the mothers. All present have access to vitamins and simple meds.

This group began in February and will conclude before July. In August, we will interview a new class, only receiving those back who still need further help.

As soon as a sling scale is located we will begin weighing the children to be able to see their progress.