Vitamins for Guatemala

What:

Provide children's vitamins for undernourished kids in Guatemala

Why:

In low-resource countries, vitamin deficiencies are very common among children. They cause them to have increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, impaired physical and cognitive development, and increased mortality. Guatemala ranks as the 10th poorest nation in the world, with the 5th highest rate of stunting in the world. Supplementing with vitamins can help make a significant impact on these children’s health. Just $5 (the cost of a latte) can provide a 2-month supply of vitamins for an infant, and just $15 (the cost of a meal out) can provide a 1-month supply of vitamins for 16 children.

Last summer I served with Medical Missions Ministries (MMM) on a mission trip to Guatemala. I was deeply moved by the overwhelming amount of poverty and malnutrition. Yet, it was very inspiring to see the local doctors of this ministry provide free medical care and medicine and treat their patients with such compassion. Our family asked MMM what some of their greatest needs were, and they said children’s vitamins. Although I’m only a high school student, it was my strong desire to do what I could to raise funding to provide for this great need. My family and I are going back to Guatemala this summer and hope to start giving out some vitamins.

How:

Through a ministry called Blessings International, vitamins can be purchased at a major discount:

MMM regularly holds medical clinics in over 150 rural villages. These clinics take place in churches whose pastors have had long-term, close relationships with the staff of MMM. They will be able to work with each other to get the vitamins to many kids and assess their impact. Therefore, these vitamins could benefit not only the children’s health but could also bolster the local churches' ministries and impact their communities.

How Can You Help?

1. Donate - A donation of any amount can have an impact! A $15 donation can help provide a bottle of 500 chewable vitamins for growing kids. Even $5 can provide a developing infant with vitamins.

2. Post & Forward - Post this on your social media and/or forward it to friends. You can help spread the word so others can also help provide vitamins for children in Guatemala.

3. Pray - that the money raised will help many children and bless both MMM and the local churches they serve.

For a small sacrifice of something like skipping one Starbucks or one meal out, you can make an impact and provide for kids in need!

This fundraising project will be a first-time effort to provide MMM with a bulk supply of vitamins to distribute during their medical clinics this summer. If it is successful, we hope to be able to provide tax-deductible receipts for donations in the future.

Together we can make a huge difference! Your support and prayers are greatly appreciated!