Plumpy Nut Saves Thousands of Children from Malnutrition

A recent letter from World Vision, a humanitarian Christian organization serving communities worldwide to combat poverty and hunger, contained a marvelous report about a major breakthrough product, Plumpy Nut, used to fight malnutrition in such countries as Niger, Sudan and Malawi. Plumpy Nut was featured on an episode of "60 Minutes," which called it "the most important advance ever to cure and prevent malnutrition." World Vision is a Christian organization based upon the teachings of Jesus Christ and is dedicated to working with communities worldwide to overcome poverty and injustice without regard to religious affiliation or denomination.

Plumpy Nut has been hailed as a life-saving nutrient that reverses the debilitating symptoms of malnutrition present in thousands of children in African countries. Plump Nut was invented in 1999 by French scientist Andre Briend and was first introduced in 2005. Plumpy Nut was inspired by Nutella and its appearance resembles peanut butter. Plumpy Nut is sweet and is a paste that requires no cooking or refrigeration with a shelf life of six months-a definite advantage in countries that do not have such amenities as refrigerators or traditional cooking appliances readily available. Plumpy Nut is often referred to as "Africa's miracle food" and contains the needed protein, calories, vitamins and minerals to offset the treacherous effects of malnutrition. It is reported that within 3-4 weeks dramatic results are observed in the children who are fed Plumpy Nut.

The brochure received from World Vision relates that Plumpy Nut is produced in local plants in Africa located in Malawi, Niger, Ethiopia and the Congo. It is also produced in France. Local production helps keep costs at a minimal level and avoids expensive import prices.

Plumpy Nut is packaged in a 2-inch square package which a child can squeeze to feed himself if necessary. As previously mentioned, no refrigeration or cooking is needed and Plumpy Nut comes ready to use. Medical practitioners report that there are no complicated preparation steps to follow and it requires no water or mixing of ingredients. You simply open the 2-inch square and administer the contents to the child or if the child is able, he can consume the contents without assistance or utensils.

Dramatic, promising results have been noted in saving the lives of malnourished children who appeared to face certain death without the introduction of Plumpy Nut as their nutrient. Along with medicine and accompanying medical interventions, Plumpy Nut is a life saving nutrient that holds great promise for treating and eliminating widespread malnutrition.

World Vision offers contributors the opportunity to multiply their tax deductible gifts fourfold through matching grants. For example, a $50 contribution yields $200, $25 becomes $100 and so forth for any amount given. I am encouraged and thrilled that Plumpy Nut has such a successful, promising outlook with dramatic results in the fight against pervasive malnutrition. We have all viewed or heard ads highlighting the desperate and sorrowful plight of families desperately trying to offset malnutrition in their households. We who have so much sometimes feel helpless in lending aid to the many who have so little. We think that are efforts would be ineffective for such a widespread problem. I can assure you that your "little" added to thousands of others efforts will make a dramatic difference. We have an opportunity to reverse the damaging effects of malnutrition by providing the means for low cost Plumpy Nut to be administered to malnourished children. World Vision is an organization of integrity and no fraudulent actions have been charged against this humanitarian organization.