Nutre Hogar-Panamanian Non Profit (photo courtesy of Nutre Hogar)

Today, while at my fourth visit to the dentist regarding one tooth, tooth #12 to be exact, I was pleasantly surprised to find an article in the middle of what appeared to be a fashion magazine that touched my heart.I immediately wrote down the website so that I could read up further and write about what I feel, is an important organization. Nutre Hogar is a non-governmental non-profit organization here in Panama that deals with feeding malnourished children. Founded in 1988, its prime objective is to: “help in the assistance, recovery and prevention of child malnutrition.”

There are many ways in which Nutre Hogar helps Panamanian children. Those who are in the most dire need have the opportunity to stay in Nutritional Centers. Here, children between the ages of 1-5 stay full-time in the child recovery centers where they are nursed back to health. Currently, centers exist in Panama, Veragua, Chiriqui, Cocle, Los Santos, and Bocas del Toro.

Broader Community Centers have also been created to help not only the marginalized children, but also their families. These centers have the intention of developing and promoting economic self-sufficiency in the communities. Not only do they provide educational workshops, from sewing to literacy, but they also provide food as well as emergency medical care and daycare for children under 5.

Today, 6,000 children are being provided with vitamin supplements and the “nourishing cookie.”

To add a final comment: I’m not a sappy person. In real life, not much gets me teary. I tend to vent my emotions through means of romantic comedies and dramas. However, when it comes to the health of children, the thought of malnutrition is something I just can’t bare. It makes me feel good to know that organizations such as Nutre Hogar exist in Panama and that somebody is helping to make a positive difference. Moreover, Nutre Hogar doesn’t seem to be a quick fix for the problem, but rather, values long-term sustainable change.

For more information visit: http://www.nutrehogar.org

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Filed under: Country Guide on March 18th, 2008