MOZAMBIQUE – Across the Republic of Mozambique, children are receiving the medicines they need to lead a healthy life.

A child receives anti-parasite medecine at a recent distribution. (Photo courtesy of Food for the Hungry International)

Part of the answer is in a little white pill called Albendazole.

Since December, Operation Blessing has teamed up with Food for the Hungry International to distribute some 20,000 of the anti-parasite pills to children throughout impoverished regions of the country.

Children were also given vitamin-A tablets and vaccinations for tetanus, polio, measles and other diseases.

OBI has plans to continue the partner with Food for the Hungry for future distributions.

Such help is badly-needed. For those battling intestinal parasites, the worms not only cause physical pain and bleeding, but also consume 25 percent of a person's food intake, causing malnutrition and other severe, chronic health problems.

Children can quickly become shadows of their former selves.

"Children infested with worms are always hungry, often sick, miss lots of school and suffer in terrible ways ranging from non-stop belly aches to stunted growth, chronic disease and muddled minds," said OBI President Bill Horan, at a recent Albendazole distribution in Honduras.

"With a pill costing less than a nickel and some very basic hygiene training – we can change all that," Horan added.

Children were also given vitamin-A tablets and vaccinations for tetanus, polio, measles and other diseases. (Photo courtesy of Food for the Hungry International)

This recent campaign is part of OBI’s expanded program across the globe which is treating more than 5 million children every six months in countries such as Peru, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Last year, OBI celebrated its largest distribution ever, handing out 2 million pills in one day to 2 million residents in Peru. Other anti-parasite programs remain ongoing in China, Cambodia and Latin America.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 1997- 2009 by Operation Blessing International of this page and all contents. No part of this site may be used without prior written consent from OBI. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Email us at operation.blessing@ob.org.