We began Mamas and Tots when we heard that a relative of one our employees lost a newborn because the mother had no breast milk and could not afford formula. With the scanty nutrition of so many local Indians, there are many mothers that produce little, and sometimes no, breast milk. And for those with breast milk, it is often nutritionally deficient. Formula costs $20 per month and obviously beyond the reach of most. We rely on the generous donations of volunteers to keep us supplied with formula. We encourage those nursing to continue for the emotional bonding, and also supply the several grandmothers who are raising infant grandchildren with our formula.
For children age 1 to 5 we also supply a nutritional supplement called incaparina. It is an oat-soy based supplement used throughout the third world. The local Mayan Indians have genetically similar relatives several hundred miles north who average seven inches taller: this is simply a matter of malnutrition.
Our medical teams are telling us that the incidence of diabetes is VERY high in our area. They trace it back to infant and childhood malnutrition which is so common. They have also told us that our infant formula program is a game-changer for eliminating this disease.
It is heartbreaking to see the physical and mental signs of infant and youth malnutrition in older children. Help us stop this by donating $25. That will buy two cans of formula and five bags of incaparina.
