BY SUPPORTING MALNOURISHED HIV+ CHILDREN WE CAN QUICKLY HELP THEM GAIN WEIGHT & STABLISE THEIR HEALTH

WHY IS MALNUTRITION AN ISSUE? ​

TTF deal with HIV+ children who are suffering from malnutrition on a daily basis. Malnutrition in Zambia is a huge problem primarily caused by food insecurity and poverty. 47.8% of the population are estimated to be undernourished* Malnutrition particularly impacts the more vulnerable in society, including children and individuals with HIV. 

Within some of the urban compounds of Lusaka, where many communities lack health services and regular access to water and sanitation, malnourished children are prone to a range of other health problems.
For a malnourished child with HIV the impact of malnutrition can be devastating: 
  • Reducing their CD4 count,
  • Weakening their immune system, and 
  • Resulting in adverse outcomes such as HIV-related infections, including TB, pneumonia, and sometimes death. 
TTF runs a nutritional support programme for the children we identify as most at risk of suffering from malnutrition or other health problems. 

IN 2016 & 2017 TTF PROVIDED 900 NUTRITIONAL FOOD PACKAGES TO 72 AT RISK HIV+ CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

HOW TTF's NUTRITIONAL PROGRAMME CAN HELP 

Malnourished chil
Malnourished child on arrival at the TTF Clinic
By enrolling those identified as most at risk of malnutrition in a three month support programme we can: 
  • Provide an initial short-term support to the family - weekly nutrition packages help to stabilise a child’s health, and
  •  Offer a long-term solution - nutrition education, information and advice to parents and caregivers helps them to understand the importance of a well balanced diet in their family. 
By improving an HIV+ child’s nutrition through the food packages, we can quickly stabilise a child’s general health and enable them to gain weight. 
Child after Nutrition support
After 5 months of medical, social and nutritional support with TTF
Better nutrition in an HIV+ child leads to better overall health. Which in turn leads to much greater socioeconomic and social impact like: 
  • Children being more able to attend school -  increasing and improving their education, 
  • Better education improves long-term socioeconomic outcomes - for the child, their family, and the entire community
  • Children being more able to play - engage with their peers and therefore suffer less social exclusion.  
Even small increases in health status can dramatically decrease a child’s state of vulnerability to other illnesses.

WHY GIVE NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT?

Women cooking Nshima, a staple food
Some of our women's group cooking Nshima, a Zambian Staple food
Most families in urban compounds in Lusaka will only have 1-2 main meals a day. The weekly nutrition packages which we give out are designed to provide additional dietary support and a mixed balance of nutrients, protien and carbohydrates for a better diet. Families will be able to buy local fresh, seasonal produce to support their meals including; rape, impwa (small egg plants), okra or spinach. The TTF food packs contain
  • 5 Kgs of Mealie Meal  -  (Zambia’s staple food)
  • 750g Sugar
  • 750ml Cooking oil
  • 1kg Pounded Ground Nuts
  • 1 tray of approximately 30 Eggs
  • 500g of dried beans
  • 500g of Kapenta  - (small dried fish common to Zambia)
  • 1 litre of Milk
  • 2kgs Soya pieces
  • Fruit supplements (type depending on the season)
*As reported by the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation in 2015. 

$25 CAN ENable us TO PROVIDE A WEEKLY NUTRITION PACKAGE 
TO AN HIV+ CHILD & THEIR FAMILY

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