Yanapana originates from feelings of love and solidarity with the purpose of providing the foundational nourishment for the body and mind of children.
MALNUTRITION FACTS
Malnutrition represents a large obstacle for the development and growth of many children in Ecuador. It has been one of the main reasons why children have not been able to succeed in their academic activities, resulting in negative consequences in their future. This problem has a major intensity in the rural zones of the country where indigenous communities reside. Sadly, the economic crisis during COVID-19 has worsened this situation.
This is an opportunity to show solidarity and love to support those in Ecuador who need it the most.
Malnutrition
In Ecuador, 23% of children under 5 years old live in a state of malnutrition
National Institute of Statistics and Census INEC 2019
Malnourished
Anemic
1 of every 2 indigenous children undergoes malnutrition and 4 of every 10 have anemia.
Ministry of Public Health and National Institute of Statistics and Census. Quito - Ecuador
OUR NUTRITIONal plan
Our target group are families with a pregnant woman and/or with kids before the age of 5.
We have chosen to focus on these groups because they need the most attention as they represent the most crucial stages of human development.
During pregnancy, the health and nutrition of the mother can directly influence the health of the baby and according to the World Economic Forum "The first 1,000 days of life – from conception to age three – open a critical and singular window of opportunity. During this period, children’s brains can form 1,000 neural connections every second. A three-year-old’s brain is twice as active as that of an adult and the connections their brain makes are the building blocks of their future."
"In the first years of life, a child’s brain consumes between 50-75% of all energy absorbed from food and good nutrition. A child who does not receive the nutrition he or she needs is at risk of stunted cognitive, as well as physical, development. And yet, around the world, at least 150 million children suffer from stunting and millions more are at risk from poor nutrition." (World Economic Forum)
These are some of the reasons why we need to act now to help solve the problem that malnutrition creates for our community.
We have partnered with the Nutritionist Mayte Contreras to create a nutritionally balanced plan that we will be giving to the families who live in a deep state of malnutrition in Ecuador.
You can check out our nutritional plan down below.
Our beneficiaries receive weekly brochures with information about nutrition and its importance
They Also receive a new recipe they can cook with the food we provide to them.
Additional Research
This tab was proudly created by two Yanapana Project volunteers: Paula Camila Daza y Stefanny Pérez Galarza