In the most poverty-stricken squatter areas, such as on Smokey Mountain II, malnutrition is a very common problem among children aged between 0 and 6. Malnutrition is caused there by insufficient food due to poverty, lack of hygiene and sickness. If a child has a quick succession of diarrhea attacks, for example, and this is in combination with a background of poor nutrition, then the child can loose weight very rapidly. In addition there are often complications due respiratory tract problems such as tuberculosis and bronchial pneumonia.

Unfortunately malnutrition hinders the psychological and social development of a child as well. Later malnutrition can also interfere with their educational development when they go to school.

Extra nutrition for malnourished children

Young Focus's goal is to first track down those children on Smokey Mountain who are most severely malnourished. Then these children are brought into the feeding project run by Young Focus Child Care, so that they can reach an acceptable weight. Medical support is also given.

Young Focus has a mobile feeding project - literally on the garbage dump where the people live. The objective is to launch the feeding project in different areas of Smokey Mountain II. Once the most severely malnourished young children have been helped in a certain area, then the project enters a follow-up phase to quickly recognize and tackle malnourishment returning there. This approach is to help as many young children living in the 'danger zone' as possible as effectively as possible.

The mobile feeding project is locally run by Victoria Manarang. Victoria has around 15 years of experience doing this kind of work. Victoria 'comes from' Smokey Mountain I: she and her husband raised their children on the garbage dump and they know the community better than anyone else. Her team is made up of colleagues who share the same background and the same passion to help their people.

The mothers also get lessons!

Giving food is not the only thing Young Focus does. In order to help prevent malnutrition returning the mothers are given coaching in the areas of hygiene, health and nutrition. There is often a lack of basic knowledge among mothers, and this is also an important factor behind malnutrition.

Daycare Center

Young Focus also sponsors a Daycare Center run by a partner organization not far from the garbage dump. Malnourished young children are brought here each day to be cared for. They get food and, if needed, medical care as well. Attention is also given to the child's psychological development as this can be hindered by malnutrition. Here too mothers get weekly teaching on things like hygiene, health and nutrition.

The 50-euro-cent-a-day feeding project!

To help a malnourished child reach an acceptable weight can take between 3 and 5 months. The average costs involved are 15 euros per child per month. It is not possible to sponsor a one particular child, but you can be part of our feeding project for only 50 euro cents (= PHP 30 or USD 0.60) a day! You will receive a certificate with information on the project and the children (see photo), and then you are a daily sponsor of the Young Focus Child Care project.

Go to the contact page and participate in the
50-eurocent-a-dag feeding project!

Or click here if you want to donate online to the Young Focus Child Care feeding project! Please identify that the gift is for this particular project.