PB&J to Fight Severe Malnutrition

Poverty. Sickness. Hunger. Thirst. Crime. How do we approach the seemingly endless number of issues requiring a seemingly unreachable amount of money to even make a dent in any one of these? What if we told you that a very realistic amount of $25 could be the difference between life and death for a child facing starvation? Is that tangible number and cause enough to get your attention? Great!  Well then read on!

The Need:$125,000 for the creation and ongoing implementation of a nutrient-fortified peanut butter production plant within Nkhoma Hospital to feed malnourished children. We are asking for gifts to be given in increments of $25, the cost of rehabilitating a child from severe malnutrition over a 5-8 week period.  Save one child or save several families of children, there is a great need for gifts of any amount!

Background:In Malawi, studies have shown that 49% of children are stunted due to lack of food. Malnutrition is a very real and tragic issue within Malawi and the Y-Malawi project area is certainly not outside of that reality. Walking the dirt roads and village paths within Nkhoma, your eyes cannot escape the sight of children with bulging ribs and bellies distended due to hunger. What can we do to tackle such a monumental problem? Could peanut butter be the answer?

Project Peanut Butter is an operation based out of Blantyre in Southern Malawi that has seen massive success. They are mass-producing peanut butter fortified with a micronutrient powder and distributing it to malnourished children. Using this method, they have seen survival rates go from 25% to 95%! After hearing about and researching this proven method, and with Project Peanut Butterʼs resounding support, we have set forth to create our own production plant at Nkhoma Hospital. Our own version of this project, PB&J (Peanut Butter & Jesus) will use the same recipe and micronutrient

powder and begin distributing it as soon as possible! We couldnʼt be more excited to see childrenʼs lives saved in the name of Jesus!As if saving children from starvation wasnʼt enough, the production of peanut butter will require a steady inflow of peanuts and will further the value of peanut crops. Through other Y-Malawi partners, Opportunity International and World Vision, co-ops will be established with indigenous farmers, thus providing them more income. Helping farmers and saving childrenʼs lives…it doesnʼt get much better than that!

Funding Request Details:

• $35,000 for start-up costs including: Purchase of equipment and building the production plant within the hospital

• $25,000 to treat 1,000 children with the 5-8 week long peanut butter method at $25 per child• $40,000 for worker salaries, storage containers, initial peanuts and other ingredients/materials• $25,000 for program development, travel and managementThis is a task that we know churches and individuals can get behind and weʼre excited about your involvement. The potential for this production plant is outstanding! We have the chance to do a lot of good, but it doesnʼt happen without your help! Will you or your church take on all or part of this need? You can donate by clicking the button below or contact don(at)y-malawi(dot)org to indicate your commitment.We have already had a very generous donor who has offered to get this project started with a sizable donation, and also to match donations up to $50,000! This is such a huge blessing and we can't wait to see how the Lord continues to provide the rest of the amount needed to fully fund this project.If you, your church or small group is interested in funding a portion or all of this project, or if you have any questions, please email don@y-malawi.org as these projects will be funded on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Make checks payable to Y-Malawi at PO Box 2170, Hemet, CA  92546-2170.