MFK Blog
Posted by admin
595 days ago
MFK has had an October to celebrate! On Monday October 3rd MFK Executive Director Dr. Wolff, was joined by MFK staff and local leaders for the groundbreaking of MFK’s new factory. Since the groundbreaking, a road to the factory and a fence around the property have already been constructed. The factory is scheduled to be completed in May of 2012. MFK was able to begin construction thanks to a bridge loan. This means our fundraising efforts must continue until we reach our campaign goal.
Once completed this factory will dramatically change the scope of MFK’s impact. Currently MFK is able to produce enough Medika Mamba to treat 8,000 malnourished children a year. With the completion of the new factory, this number will increase to 80,000 children a year! Along with saving the lives of more malnourished children, the factory will allow MFK to hire more Haitians, purchase more peanuts, and support more Haitian farmers.
This factory is an imperative step towards changing the lives of Haitian children on a large scale. There is still much to be done until the factory is operational. We must continue to work hard and fundraise until the campaign goal has been reached and the factory is complete. Let's keep the momentum going and continue our efforts to see the factory is finished on time!
***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials
Posted by admin
629 days ago
Friends of Children, a Connecticut based non-profit, recently gave a generous gift to MFK. We are excited to partner with them in our quest to save the lives of malnourished children in Haiti. Friends of Children began in 1973 with the aim of identifying and funding programs that were efficiently managed, cost effective, and demonstrated outstanding success in improving children’s lives. We are proud to boast that Friends of Children believes in our mission and has confidence in our ability to serve Haiti’s children in an exceptional and economically responsible manner. Friends of Children's work is wide spread and they support over 30 children’s charities around the globe. We would like to thank Friends of Children for their kind gift and dedication to helping the children of Haiti.
To learn more about Friends of Children visit them at: http://www.thefriendsofchildren.org/

***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials
Posted by admin
657 days ago
Dieulene arrived at Hospital St. Jean 9 weeks ago. At 19 months, she weighed only 14 pounds, far below the 19 pounds recommended for her height. She had a severe case of malnutrition. It’s always frightening to see children in this state- here today, gone tomorrow. Dieulene’s mother has passed away; her father is out of the picture. Previously, her grandmother had brought her to the clinic every week, now she is being hospitalized. This week a neighbor woman brought Dieulene to the check up.
Usually children’s caregivers are referred to the Medika Mamba program when the child comes to the clinic for vaccinations or other concerns such as diarrhea. If the nurse recognizes that the child is underweight, they refer them to the program. Medika Mamba is designed to meet the needs of severe and moderately malnourished children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old. Doses (in spoonful) are doled out several times a day according to the child’s weight and height, the bigger the child, the greater the dose. Progress is monitored on a weekly basis and caretakers are only given enough Medika Mamba to get them through the week, thus ensuring their attenda
nce at the following week’s check-in.
Lethargic, inactive and weary describe a child who is losing the battle with malnutrition. This no longer describes Dieulene who was alert, feisty, and irritable during her 9th and final visit, just like a healthy child when surrounded by strangers. This is a good sign. Her discharge weight is a healthy 18.7 pounds. Thick healthy skin with a little fat under it covers the ribs on her back, unlike nearby children who were just beginning their Medika Mamba regimens. This kind of improvement in child after child is what fuels our commitment to increasing the availability and use of Medika Mamba in the fight against childhood malnutrition.
***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials
Posted by admin
672 days ago
Pétion Jean-Marie doesn’t talk much when he mops. Wearing a set of navy blue scrubs, he cleans and dusts one of MFK’s storage depots in solitude. He’ll share his wide grin, but he’s not a fan of jokes during work or idle chit-chat. He wants to do his job and do it well.
Since 2007 53-year-old Jean-Marie has woken up before dark to take a tap-tap or public bus to MFK each day. His salary helps him support his family and pay for his three children’s schooling. Jean-Marie sorts boxes of raw materials- peanuts, powdered milk and the supplements that make up Medika Mamba- he loads them to trucks and a storage depot. Jean-Marie then makes sure the depot is swept, mopped, and kept tidy. Passing motorcycles, busses, and cars stir up dust, meaning his job is a constant task.
Jean-Marie says he is glad for the work. He’s one of 30 Haitians employed at MFK in a country where most of the population has no formal job. Before he worked with us Jean-Marie came to the MFK factory day after day, promising to work hard if employed. When MFK finally made the smart move and hired him everyone was amazed at his incredible work ethic.
Jean-Marie has an incredible story and has been involved in all sorts of work. At one point he planted tobacco in the Dominican Republic for an American company. For two years he rowed a boat and caught fish. “Fishing is fine,” he said in Creole, “When you’re not old.”
On the weekends, he and his wife run a small shop that sells necessities like beans, rice, and oil. He hopes to save money between the two jobs so his family can have a little security. Jean-Marie wants to be part of MFK’s growth. With a new factory and more supplies, Jean-Marie said he’s excited to see MFK expand. “I want us to serve all the children of Haiti,” he said.
He thinks on his life as he mops quietly. He said his tranquility comes from his faith in God and a simple approach to his job: “Work is for working.”
***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials
Posted by admin
679 days ago

In 2010 MFK joined Nutriset’s PlumpyField Network, a global community of independent producers of nutritional solutions for vulnerable populations. One of the main ways the PlumpyField Network helps fight malnutrition is to transfer technology to promote local responses to malnutrition. MFK is part of the PlumpyField Network’s success story, and we have benefited from our membership. As a member, we have been able to acquire our new Opti-Nut machinery, strengthen our quality assurance and comply with international standards. All of these things strengthen MFK’s ability to produce a local solution to issues of malnutrition in Haiti. In short, the PlumpyField Network enables us to help save children's lives.
Being part of the PlumpyField Network also means MFK is now part of a global movement to fight malnutrition. While MFK works to fight malnutrition in Haiti, other members of the PlumpyField Network are helping vulnerable populations in Sudan, Malawi and India, just to name a few. Right now Edesia and HILINA, fellow network members, are playing a crucial role in providing nutritional solutions and hope to the crisis going on in East Africa. Click here to see CNN video about the East African crisis and see boxes of Plumpy'nut being unloaded to fight the hunger in Somalia. When a Plumpy’nut product reaches a child, a life is changed. MFK is proud to be part of Nutriset’s PlumpyField Network and the global fight against malnutrition.
Pictured below MFK Maintenance Officer Phito Daniel Florestal and Nutriset Process Engineer Simon Goujard holding some of the first Medika Mamba to come off the new Opti-Nut line.

***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials
Posted by admin
708 days ago
Cathy Faught writes how she became a supporter of MFK and how Haiti has changed the way she sees the world.
Anyone going on a trip to a third world country should write a description of poverty before leaving and put it in a safe place. Upon returning and reading it, that definition would seem so mundane and inaccurate. Poverty is something that must be experienced first hand with all of your senses.
My journey began with something sweet, "Mr. Faught's Brown Cookies", the favorite treat of the children at The Wilson School in Clayton, Missouri. Charla Gray, a 6th grade teacher, had told the students about Dr. Patricia Wolff, a local pediatrician with a dedication to the children of Haiti. When Dr. Wolff came to the school to talk, the students were engaged and asking brilliant question. I was immediately impressed by the Dr. Wolff’s dedication to help the malnourished children of Haiti. The students were also impressed and decided to have a bake sale to raise funds for Meds & Food for Kids, my contribution was "Mr. Faught's Brown Cookies".
I later ended up joining MFK’s board on a trip to Haiti in May, 2010. I wanted to bring something to the Haitian children from us in St. Louis. Dr. Wolff and I decided that chewable vitamins packaged in quantities of 30 would be the most helpful. I with the assistance of many friends, including the children of Wilson, was able to gather and package 30,000 vitamins!
Having been in the field of education for 40 years I thought I knew how to identify a child's age with just a glance. But in Haiti I saw small, lethargic children languishing on their parents' laps with not the energy to smile. Being used to animate, vocal children, I found it difficult to know the age of the children. It wasn't hard to figure out their physical condition, they were sick and in need of help. The difference adequate nutrition makes in the life of a child is shocking.
In Haiti we visited a slum where many children and their families were going to a clinic that was open only a half day a week. There I saw some of the most caring people working under inhospitable and impossible conditions. The children had no energy, no sparkle, and without Medika Mamba no hope. Along with bringing her medical expertise and dedication Dr. Wolff was hiring and training local people to work in the factory and expand the number of children treated. She was providing a "hand up" rather than a "hand out".
Is there anyone more important than a child? The children of the world are our future. Each child deserves a chance to grow into a healthy, happy, productive person. Please join me in giving continued support to Meds & Food for Kids.
***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials
Posted by admin
713 days ago
Last week Thursday, Meds & Food for Kids had an employee appreciation day for all factory employees. It was inspired by the fact that many of them had never been to the Citadelle, even though it's only 45 minutes away by car. The Citadelle Laferrière is the largest fortress in the Americas and was built 1805-1820 by King Henri Christophe against French attack post-independence.
The day started at 4:30 am to pick up employees to head to the Citadelle. Seven Haitian employees and the two American fellows packed into one of the Land Cruisers and headed out. We arrived at the Citadelle so early that we were the first ones there. Rodin Saintil and Jean Alex Pierre crammed in the front seat so that they could see the Citadelle and San Souci Palace as they approached. Rodin said, "M vle chita devan paske m pa kon li!" I want to sit up front because I have never seen the Citadelle!
The group was guided by Johny Remy who has many years of experience as a Citadelle tour guide. Some people were more engaged about the history, and others were excited to sit on cannons. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the Citadelle sat prominently atop the mountain. Everyone was full of energy; Claudin even took some short cuts and was the first to the top.
Following the Citadelle, all employees were invited to the Employee Appreciation BBQ and Party. (All employees could have come to the Citadelle, but many said they would be too tired to dance if they did both in one day!) Everyone brought friends and family. It was great for everyone to meet husbands, wives and kids of co-workers... in their Sunday's best too! It was a day for good food, great company, and to relax and have fun.
***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw material
Posted by admin
736 days ago
On June 14th, Dr. Patricia Wolff, MFK's Executive Director, will be speaking in Washington D.C. at the Global Health Council Conference. The PlumpyField Network will host a special discussion on the need for innovation and political action in the fight for child health and nutrition.
Dr. Wolff will speak to the benefits of locally produced Ready to Use Foods (RUFs) along with the use of local agricultural and labor to create a sustainable solution to treating malnutrition. The benefits of the local approach to RUFs include: their ability to target populations with the greatest need for nutritional interventions, local farmers having access to an expanded and stable market to sell their products, and the jobs created spur economic development. RUFs help ameliorate nutritional emergencies, locally produced RUFs target the root causes of malnutrition.
Other leaders and entrepreneurs from the PlumpyField Network will discuss how they work to ensure these nutritional products reach the children who need them most. The themes of the conference include increasing production of targeted nutritional products tailored to the needs of affected population, promoting global cooperation and support from the private sector, and achieving sustainability by raising awareness.
In 2010 alone, PlumpyField network members, including MFK, have supplied enough RUFs to treat more than one million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition and one million children suffering from moderate acute malnutrition. Nutriset and the PlumpyField Network are currently invested in more than 60 scientific studies to develop new products, targeted to address the entire spectrum of nutritional deficiencies in the developing world.
***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials
Posted by admin
743 days ago
In February 2011 we began an exciting new partnership with a community based in the tiny rural village of La Victoire, some 2.5 hours from Cap Haitian in the mountains leading to the Central Plateau.
The program is supported by Fearless Warriors, a religious-based non-profit founded by a couple from Belvidere, IL, whose mission is to help Haitians help themselves. MFK supplied the initial 2 months supply of Medika Mamba to get the program going, along with staff training in treating malnutrition and education for families on good nutrition for their children.
The clinic started with 11 kids. After 6 weeks on the Medika Mamba program, 9 of the children reached their goal weight and graduated. The other two will continue the program for a few more weeks. Soon Fearless Warriors will be graduating their second class of Medika Mamba children.?
Fearless Warriors provided peanut seeds to 52 families in the community. The peanuts grown will provide a needed source of protein for diets that are often high in sugar and carbohydrates. The additional protein will keep bellies full and provide instant energy. In addition, the farmers can sell the peanuts to provide vital extra income.
The best aspect of this program is that the farmers can also sell the peanuts to MFK! This project will allow us to expand the amount of raw peanuts we purchase in Haiti. Fearless Warriors is doing critical work alongside MFK. The partnership enhances MFK’s impact on farmers and children. Fearless Warriors benefit by being able to expand the number of children they treat in Haiti. This partnership is as natural as let’s say… peanut butter and jelly.
To Read More about Fearless Warriors click here

***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials
Posted by admin
774 days ago
under Stories
On Saturday, April 16th MFK production employee, Edner Joseph, and MFK Graduate Fellows Jamie VanArtsdalen and Eyleen Chou participated in the Course de la Solidarité- The Cap Haitien annual 10K. This year, there were nearly 300 participants !

MFK employees Gerald Latortue (accountant), Fredo Andre (production), and Dr. Pat Wolff (executive director) became the MFK cheering section. The race started at 8:30 am and by that time the sun was already beating down on them. The course started down town at the Cathedral, looped out to the boulevard, and cut back through town. There were spectators gathered at the cathedral and lots of befuddled onlookers at other areas of the course.
Edner finished the 6.2 mile race in just 49 minutes. It was his first competitive sports event! Jamie placed a strong 5th in the women's division. Eyleen elated she was able to finish her first 10K. After this positive experience, Edner decided he is going to continue to train for his next race! MFK is happy that we were so well represented at the race which promotes healthy lifestyles as well as builds solidarity.

***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials
Posted by admin
783 days ago
MFK announces a $600,000 challenge to complete construction in 2011
Meds & Food for Kids announced a $600,000 challenge for its capital campaign at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Monday April 25th 2011 in St. Louis.

Campaign chairs Dr. Peter Raven, President Emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden, and Thad Simons, CEO and President of Novus International, joined Dr. Patricia Wolff, founder and Executive Director of MFK, to address a group of supporters, donors and advocates to talk about MFK's work in Haiti and its push to build a new factory for its life-saving foods.
"We should all be proud that such an extraordinary program began right here in St. Louis,” said Raven. “Now we all need to make sure the new factory is a reality soon to dramatically strengthen this life-saving, community building work in Haiti.”
“MFK goes beyond aid by using local labor and resources to help end the cycle of poverty. They are creating steady jobs, supporting local farmers and making kids healthy.” said Simons.
MFK has successfully treated more than 24,000 malnourished children in Haiti with the ready-to-use therapeutic food that the organization manufactures in a house-turned-factory in Cap Haitian, Haiti. A capital campaign is underway to fund a larger, more efficient factory that will enable Meds & Food for Kids to increase its production ten fold to treat 80,000 children annually.
The “Local Hands Bright Future” campaign goal is $3 million. The increased production of the new factory will create jobs and support 1,000 Haitian peanut farmers. By meeting the standards of large-scale production of international aid organizations that purchase and distribute the treatment products, the factory will become financially self-sustaining by 2015.
“We are thrilled and honored by the generous support we’ve received, especially from our own St. Louis community,” said MFK founder and executive director Dr. Patricia Wolff.
MFK aims to break ground on the new factory later this year and is challenging supporters to generate an additional $600,000 in the next six months to bring the construction plan to fruition.
***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development.
Posted by admin
804 days ago
under Stories
Andre Fredo who goes simply by Fredo is MFK’s Assistant Production Officer. Fredo comes from a large (this maybe an understatement) family with 8 brothers and sisters. He grew up in Ti Bouk, Port Margo, a small village about 2 hours from Cap Haitian. When Fredo was a child Ti Bouk was a thriving town with many people. Unfortunately due to urbanization and continued erosion from a lack of trees Ti Bouk is no longer a bustling place

At the age of 18 Fredo moved to the Cap Haitien where he rented a small apartment and went to school full time. In 2004 Fredo decided it be safer to live with his cousins in Cap Haitien. Regrettably not long after this move his father became sick and Fredo could no longer afford to go to school. After hearing this a MFK manager who new Fredo thought he would make a great addition to the MFK team, he was right. Fredo has been with MFK for over 3 years and is still working on his education so he can graduate from school in just over a year.
MFK has given Fredo the tools to help those in his community who are suffering from malnutrition. Fredo once encountered a child in his community whose mother had died, despite the caregivers best efforts the child would not gain weight. Fredo asked Davnic, an MFK health agent, to visit the child and take them to the nearest Medika Mamba clinic. According to reports from Fredo the child is growing strong and doing well in school. When Fredo was asked how he felt about his work he replied, “I am happy to work for MFK because I know that we are working to help children who are suffering”.
Fredo is not all business though during his free time he enjoys reading, using the computer, watching T.V. (when there is power) and going to the beach. Fredo is a dedicated and hardworking member of the MFK team who often entertains other employees keeping the work atmosphere light hearted and fun. During the three weeks that MFK’s Production Officer and Quality Manager were in France Fredo stepped up and kept track of all the records required of the Production Officer. He is now attending night computer classes to learn Excel and Word. Fredo’s dedication to MFK, his education, and his community make us proud that he is a part of the MFK team.

***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials
Posted by admin
820 days ago
under Press

In November 2010, MFK program officer Nurse Berenise Estimable and MFK Graduate Fellow Eyleen Chou visited Blanchard, Haiti to train health staff from Partners in Development. Since then, their Medika Mamba program has admitted eight children. Here is one of their stories.
Too weak to stand, Kenfa, a 19-month-old girl with diarrhea, fever and dehydration weighed only 4.5 kilos, (just under 10 lbs), a weight more typical of a one-month old child. After four weeks on Medika Mamba, Kenfa is starting to stand on her own. She is no longer dehydrated and is readily taking spoonfuls of the paste. Her mom and the medical team were pleased to see her gain over 2 pounds, and are excited to see her continued improvement in the weeks to come.

***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials.
Posted by admin
844 days ago
under Stories

On Monday, Quality Control Officer Darline Aurelien and Production Officer Ken Thercy traveled the 4,500 miles from Haiti to France for training with MFK’s new partner, Nutriset. Darline and Ken were excited for the trip as neither had ever left Hispaniola, the island of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The planning of the trip and task of getting all the necessary paper work took months. Like any great adventure Ken and Darline faced many trials and tribulations. On arriving in France both were shocked by the near freezing temperature in Paris. For two people who have never left the Caribbean it was a cruel greeting. The cold was made worse by the fact that Ken’s luggage was nowhere to be found and is still somewhere between Port-au-Prince and Paris.
The two proceeded to travel by train to the small town of Malaunay in the north of France, the home of Nutriset. Ken and Darline are hard at work but are also looking forward to the weekend when a Nutriset colleague will show them the sights and delights of Normandy. For MFK this is a step closer to the procurement and installation of the Opti-nut, new machinery that will be capable of producing 15,000 kilos of Medika Mamba a month. For Ken and Darline the training will expand their capacity and enable to them to take additional responsibilities when the new machinery comes online.
***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials.
Photos courtesty of www.jsilverberg.com
Posted by admin
848 days ago
In the fall of 2008, Chloe VanDenBrink, an undergraduate student at the University of Indiana, was in Haiti as a United Methodist Volunteer sponsored by HAPI, an artisans’ co-op in Mizak. While in Haiti her job was to survey communities to find children to enroll in the Medika Mamba program.
On Chloe’s first trip hiking through the mountains in Mizak, after a long day and with four malnourished children enrolled in the Mamba program, a man approached her and insisted she visit a nearby family. Chloe initally resisted, for although she understood the family was in dire need, there were no more spaces left in the program for the children in the area. The man’s persistence and unwillingness to hear no for an answer eventually made Chloe relent. Together they hiked an additional mile to Loti, the poorest area in Mizak. The home that he led her to was in a state of disrepair far beyond the usual hurricane damage in the area. As Chloe approached the house she could see a child lying on a small cloth on the front porch. As Chloe gazed down at the fly-covered, motionless, emaciated girl she had the frightening thought, “Why is this family leaving their dead child to lie on the ground like this?” Then something astonishing happened: the child began to move.
The child’s name was Marie-Claudine; when she was found by Chloe she was 19 months old and weighed only 6.7 pounds, about the same as a newborn baby. Chloe realized that the situation was life or death and that getting Marie-Claudine started on the Medika Mamba program was her only chance of survival. When Marie-Claudine began the Mamba program there were low expectations of a recovery, and some wondered if it was too late. What could not be measured on a scale were Marie-Claudine’s courage, bravery and resolution. After just five weeks in the Mamba program Marie-Claudine had more than doubled her weight to 15.5 pounds and was an impressive 18.3 pounds by the end.
During Marie-Claudine’s treatment, she formed a strong connection with Chloe that still links the two to this day. Chloe has been back to Haiti four times since 2008 and has made sure to check in with Marie-Claudine on every visit. Last year Chloe helped build a new home for Marie-Claudine’s family, and Chloe describes her time working with Marie-Claudine as the best experience of her life.
Marie-Claudine continues to grow and develop. Marie-Claudine’s courage serves not only to inspire Chloe but to remind us all of the resilience and fortitude of the Haitian people. Marie-Claudine is a reason we have great hope in the future of Haiti despite the seemingly unending challenges. Chloe’s dedication to Haiti proves the amazing outcomes that may be achieved when people come together for a cause. Meds and Food for Kids is proud to be a part of Marie-Claudine and Chloe’s inspiring story.
Chloe recently graduated from Indiana University and is planning to attend graduate school in the fall to study public health and hopes to be able to use what she learns to make a positive impact in Haiti. Marie-Claudine resides in Mizak with her family.
***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials.
Posted by admin
865 days ago
under Stories
Reported on 2-3-2011 by Jamie VanArtsdalen, MFK Fellow
Most of the employees arrived on time today at 7:00am, though some had trouble getting to work due to tire burnings downtown which meant fewer taptaps (public transportation) on the street. The radio was turned on and all employees listened as the election results were being announced. There was this nervous energy in anticipation of what the results might be.
At about 7:45am the announcement that Jude Celestin would not be in the running for president was announced. Everyone started shouting and dancing with relief. They were all commenting that now everything would be calm and things could go on as usual. I had just been in discussions with Ken, the production officer, as to whether we should produce or not today because of the threat of more unrest before the announcement was made.
We are up and running and hoping to make over 700 kg to make up for closing early yesterday due to protests in town.
***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials.
Posted by admin
873 days ago
under Press
One year ago Susan Piontek, host of the "Global Voice", interviewed MFK for her first show. She received so much positive feedback about the program she decided to do a follow up interview with Tom Stehl and Steve Taviner. To listen to this hour long in-depth interview about all the work MFK is doing click here.
***
Meds & Food for Kids saves the lives of Haiti's malnourished children by producing and distributing highly nutritious foods, including Medika Mamba, a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food endorsed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Because of its commitment to Haiti's long-term development, MFK produces Medika Mamba in Haiti, with Haitian labor, and with many Haitian raw materials.
Posted by admin
887 days ago
under Press
Meds & Food for Kids gets featured in two articles in the St. Louis Beacon, tracking on the ground progress and challenges one year on from the earthquake. Read the introductory article here, and the feature on MFK here. Dr Wolff finds her own drive and inspiration from Haitian resilience and fortitude: "How can I get discouraged when I've seen thankful Haitians who never seem to weary ?"
Posted by admin
887 days ago
under Press
The media flurry continues around the anniversary of the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The St. Louis Post Dispatch features Meds & Food for Kids' work in this article, where Dr. Patricia Wolff and Novus CEO Thad Simons discuss our project to build a new factory in Haiti, and support long-term development with nutritional support for vulnerable children.
Posted by admin
887 days ago
under Press
Dr. Patricia Wolff appeared on Monday January 10th, 2011, live on St Louis public radio, with a panel of St. Louisians working in Haiti, one year on from the earthquake. Significant progress is being made, despite the challenges on the ground, by all of the groups featured. You can stream the interview by clicking on this link.