An increased risk of malnutrition among the youngest
The children taken care of through Pour un Sourire d'Enfant's programmes come from extremely poor families who live on the outskirts of Phnom Penh in very poor areas where the houses are made of corrugated iron and wood without electricity or running water. Having no qualifications, the parents try to survive on precarious incomes: scavengers, street vendors, day labourers on building sites... The difficulties - debt, violence, family breakdown - are numerous.
The difficult situations faced by these families also lead to serious problems of malnutrition and undernourishment as they cannot feed themselves properly. The youngest children, between 0 and 5 years old, are particularly at risk of malnutrition because they are more fragile and have specific nutritional needs. The impact on their physical and mental health can be disastrous.
Setting up the Mother and Infant Protection service to combat malnutrition
The association puts in place solutions so that the poorest children can go to school, learn a trade and escape poverty for good. Faced with the specific needs of babies and pregnant women, Pour un Sourire d'Enfant has created a Mother and Infant Protection (PMI) service in the Centre in Phnom Penh, the aim of which is to protect the health of babies and their mothers and to fight against malnutrition and under-nutrition of the youngest children.
Support for babies and mothers
Pregnant women are monitored by midwives who offer them, in addition to physical care, nutritional supplements, AIDS screening, training in hygiene and child care and preparation for childbirth. Young mothers are encouraged to breastfeed and powdered milk is provided to those who cannot.
The PMI service also monitors babies and provides vaccinations.
Day care for the most fragile babies
Babies with nutritional deficiencies or requiring special care are welcomed, on a daily basis, to the PMI department in our Phnom Penh Centre. Babies whose parents do not take care of them properly or those with disabilities who are left to fend for themselves are also looked after.
Identification and monitoring of children suffering from malnutrition
The PMI service of Pour un Sourire d'Enfant has carried out a screening of children aged 0 to 5 years taken into our programmes. Those suffering from malnutrition receive food supplements and medical monitoring to measure the children's progress.
Acting against child malnutrition through sponsorship
Sponsoring a child means making a commitment that all their needs are taken care of, including food and care. Thanks to Pour un Sourire d'Enfant, the poorest children in Cambodia have the opportunity to escape poverty for good. Sponsorship provides the commitment that we can accompany them over the long term: your donation has a concrete impact!