By Maya Ocasio, MFK Guest Writer
Advocacy comes in many shapes. Being an advocate encourages you to connect with and uplift others, while staying informed on topics you care deeply about. Whether you’re speaking out to inspire change, supporting a cause, or helping others—every act can make a difference in the lives of those around you! For organizations like Meds & Food for Kids (MFK), your support helps us save children’s lives in Haiti and educate our international community on global issues. This leads to micro and macro-level changes that go on to positively impact our world.
What is Happening in Haiti?
The Global Hunger Index ranks Haiti at 119 out of 123 countries tracked for hunger indicators, and states Haiti’s level of hunger is “alarming.” Six million Haitians, half of the country’s population, do not have dependable access to nutritious food as gang violence, displacement, and political instability increase. While hunger in Haiti affects the country as a whole, it is especially hard on children, infants, and their mothers.
Two-year-old Esther came to our partner clinic in critical condition with severe malnutrition. She weighed only 10 pounds (15 pounds below average weight). Esther was weak and suffered from edema, which causes swelling and loss of movement. Our team in Haiti developed a treatment plan for Esther, which included medication and treatment with MFK’s Plumpy’Nut therapeutic food. As time and care progressed, Esther’s signs of malnutrition faded, and she regained her strength to play and live more happily and healthily.
Two-year-old Esther, smiling after her progress MFK’s Plumpy’Nut theraputic food treatment.
At MFK, our mission is to save the lives of malnourished children, prevent malnutrition in schoolchildren and mothers, and contribute to economic development in Haiti. To do this, we need your help. Together, we can achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #2, Zero Hunger. By learning, sharing, and openly discussing the issue of hunger that Haiti and other countries are experiencing, we can collectively advocate for our global neighbors.
Haitian farmers holding locally grown and harvested peanuts.
How Can I Make An Impact?
It can be hard to believe that one person can make a significant change on their own – but when multiple people take action, change is possible. While monetary donations are a common option for support, there are many ways to practice everyday action and advocacy to help MFK and other causes you care about. With many people taking even seemingly small actions, we can make great progress together!
Social media is a great way to start. Sharing our posts (or even this blog post!) with friends and family helps us reach and share our mission with more people. Repost an inspiring story, information that taught you something new, and calls for support – through the click of a share button, you can encourage others to get involved.
Grow your knowledge. You’ve already started by reading this article! You can find more about MFK’s initiatives through our website.
You can also learn about global hunger and sustainable development:
- UN Sustainable Development Goals: sdgs.un.org/goals
- World Food Programme Hunger Map: hungermap.wfp.org
- Nutrition in the first 1,000 days: thousanddays.org
Get involved locally. Attend nonprofit events and other activities in your area to build strong connections with your community and meaningful causes.
Contact your elected officials. Connecting with local representatives is a great way to join conversations in public policy and decision-making, bringing attention to causes you care about.
Fundraise online. Create a fundraiser on social media, honor a loved one, celebrate milestones, share campaigns, or host a small fundraising event to bring people together in support of a nonprofit like MFK.
Become an Advocate Today
Start your advocacy journey by signing up to receive newsletters from causes you care about. You can sign up for Meds & Food for Kids’ newsletter here. Talk to a friend about inspiring stories like Esther’s and the need for support in places like Haiti. Everyday actions like these are small, but powerful as more people come together for a shared purpose. Together, we can create lasting change.
MFK founder Dr. Patricia Wolff and young child hold hands at a partner clinic in Haiti.