Every Child Fed (ECF) is dedicated to ending the epidemic of child deaths caused by malnutrition. We believe the solution to this enduring problem must be sustainable, empowering and environmentally responsible. Our model establishes local facilities to produce the specialized therapeutic food used to treat severe malnutrition and works with strategic partners on distribution where it is needed most. We not only save lives, but also support local economies, empower communities and contribute in a broader way to the development of the countries being served. ECF is deploying the following phased approach:
Phase I-Manufacturing – ECF is currently working with Project Peanut Butter in Sierra Leone to produce and provide ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to severely malnourished children. Plans are underway for 2012 to implement an ECF manufacturing facility in Zimbabwe to produce this highly nutritional peanut-based food product that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Phase II-Distribution – ECF will distribute this life-saving food to outpatient clinics in the most at-risk rural areas. Once we are certified, ECF will also distribute to other local, national and multinational organizations (e.g., UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, USAID) dedicated to eradicating hunger as well. Phase III-Training & Education – ECF will focus training in the following 3 specific areas:
1) Capacity building through the training of national staff including how to effectively screen the local population for malnutrition. Once malnourished children have been identified, they will receive life-saving treatment including calorie-rich RUTF’s.
2) Training and education of the employee base on manufacturing, quality control, testing, and basic work ethic and life skills. 3) Teaching mothers basic hygiene and how to care for children and families to prevent their other children from becoming malnourished and free from disease. Phase IV-Replication – It is our desire to replicate this model by creating a well-documented process so that ECF and other organizations can easily deploy manufacturing and feeding programs in other underdeveloped countries. Our group of dedicated and passionate professionals all share a common conviction that, “to whom much is given, much is required.” Every child is entitled to live a life without hunger – we are compelled to help see every child fed.
