When 7-year-old Jamal arrived at Shekhinah, our nurses discovered he had been surviving on one meal every three days – his belly swollen with kwashiorkor, his hair bleached orange from malnutrition. Today, thanks to our therapeutic feeding program, he’s gained 8kg of healthy weight and proudly tends our vegetable garden. “I water the spinach every morning,” he beams, “so no kid here ever feels that hungry again.” Our onsite farm produces 60% of the orphanage’s food needs, with children learning agricultural skills while understanding God’s provision.
Shekhinah’s nutrition program goes beyond calories – we’re fighting generational food insecurity. Each meal incorporates iron-rich foods to reverse anemia (affecting 90% of arriving children), while cooking classes teach teens how to prepare balanced meals. Our “Seeds of Hope” initiative provides families taking in orphans with starter gardens and poultry – keeping more children in stable homes. Former sponsored child Rebecca, now our nutrition assistant, explains: “Full stomachs let kids focus on dreams instead of hunger pains.”
The impact is measurable: 100% of children achieve healthy weight within a year, with academic performance improving 73% after six months of proper nutrition. Your $35 monthly gift feeds a child like Jamal, while our farming programs ensure long-term sustainability. As our kitchen wall proclaims: “Man does not live on bread alone – but no child should live without it.”
