Nutrition Programme

When we arrived, the financial crisis in Moldova had gotten so extreme that the state staff had not been paid in over 12 months leading to widespread hardship in the staff communities and their individual family units. This had a knock on effect on the overall care afforded the children. It was common to see only one carer to 26 children with no access to hygiene facilities and little food. It was not uncommon to see a child lying paralysed on a dirty mattress in her own human waste, as a carer shoveled spoonfuls of powdered potatoes provided by USAID into her mouth as she struggled to swallow in this position. It would lead to many preventable aspiration pneumonia's. It would also lead to vermin being attracted to the rooms where the children were living, which brought a whole new set of its own problems.

Nutrition became one of our flagship programmes, we knew we had more to deal with than calories alone. It would mean a concerted attack on more than one area.  Hygiene and food preparation needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency, in partnership with a co-financing programme from Irish Aid, we would be able to provide a new kitchen facility.

While upgrading the derelict facilities, getting rid of vermin, installing windows and doors, our medical programme would tackle the urgent task of diagnosis to determine if the widespread profound malnutrition was caused not only by food shortages, but also by conditions that would lead to malabsorption, metabolic defects, gut parasites etc.   We would uncover cases of PKU, enzyme deficiencies, CF, colitis, poly-infestation of parasites and much more that would complicate ORM's future nutrition management plan. It was at this point that ORM started to address the hygiene system in the orphanages. Access to a clean water supply and bathroom facilities were provided to try and tackle some of the more basic needs that would lead to an overall improvement in their health.

Between 2001 -2007 ORM provided a comprehensive nutrition plan in line with the needs of the individual child. The widespread malnutrition was addressed, with varied diets which included meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables. The change in the childrens physical and mental health was incredible. In 2007 the state budget for the orphanage was increased allowing us to invest in other programmes such as education and social programmes. We continued to provide a medical nutrition plan for the children most at risk of malnutrition with medical feeding supplements, and we continue our dairy products, fruit and vegetables supply. We started a home economics class for over 60 children would learn how to cook for themselves independently and we sponsor all food required for this too. Through your help and assistance we can also provide treats such as birthday parties, holiday meals, biannual day trips for all the children  to child related facilities like the beach which includes eating out. Thus allowing the children be children and it gives them something to look forward to all year round.

Intensive staff training and constant supervision would be necessary to change the practices and attitudes of these children's carers, especially in the cases of the children who can not eat independently. ORM training includes; positioning throughout feeding and how to feed a child with a specific swallowing disorder correctly; this programme is monitored by the ORM medical staff. We also provide specialist nurses to assist in the feeding of the children with the most profound swallowing disorders to protect their health while getting the nutrition they need.

These children are yet again to become the latest casualties of the global financial crisis. The Moldovan Government announced on the 13th April 2009 that a cut of state investment to the orphanage of  3 million Lei (€215,000 or 30%) which will necessitate further ORM investment in Nutrition.