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Sweet potatoes: A prescription for a healthy life
Can you imagine going to your doctor for a checkup and leaving with a sweet potato plant? For pregnant women visiting health dispensaries in Kenya, this unusual prescription holds promise for a healthier life—for them and their children.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 43 million children under five years old are at risk for vitamin A deficiency, which can cause disease and even death. The Mama SASHA project is helping get orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, rich in vitamin A, onto the menu by forging a unique partnership with health services for new moms.
So when Margaret Simiyu, a mom-to-be in Western Kenya, went to a participating clinic for prenatal care, she also got information about nutrition and a voucher for her own sweet potato vine. Now her family eats sweet potatoes three times a week. Margaret is already seeing a change in their health—and an unexpected economic opportunity.
Read this ONE Blog post to find out more.
Supporter story: Bryan and Martha Kim
How did two undergraduates studying computer science become champions of PATH? Bryan Kim and his wife, Martha, are both long-time supporters, sharing a deep commitment to a healthier world—but their journeys started in two very different places. Read their story.
Get involved
“Poo Haiku #2,” October 1–31. Don’t miss defeatDD’s Poo Haiku challenge:
Silly or fact based,
Channel your inner poo-et
Raise awareness, win!
Take part in the second annual Poo Haiku contest to raise awareness about diarrhea—one of the leading causes of child death in developing countries. Submit your haiku and read entries on Facebook and Twitter. For more information or inspiration, visit the Poo Haiku page.
Get ready for #GivingTuesday, November 27. First there was Black Friday. Then Cyber Monday. Now there’s #GivingTuesday. In the United States, the days following Thanksgiving are known as major retail shopping days. This year, join the philanthropic community in bringing the focus back to charitable giving. On November 27—the first ever #GivingTuesday—show your commitment to global health equity by donating to PATH.
In the news
CNN: At the UN, money backs up vow to eradicate polio by 2015 (October 2, 2012)
Peter Salk and Aseefa Zardari never met before today, but they have an odd and very significant thing in common: both of them were inoculated against polio by one of their parents . . .
Huffington Post: Safeguarding pregnant women with essential supplies produces a positive ripple effect (September 27, 2012)
Traverse the halls of any clinic or hospital in Africa and you will undoubtedly find yourself feeling both inspired and overwhelmed. Bustling activity fills every corner . . .
New York Times: Cervical cancer: El Salvador gets a screening test that women can administer at home (September 24, 2012)
A new way to screen poor women for cervical cancer was introduced this month in El Salvador, using a test that was originally developed in China . . .
Forbes: Bill Gates: My new model for giving (September 18, 2012)
As the keynote speaker at the Forbes 400 Summit on Philanthropy this June, Bill Gates took the podium and gave what portended to be a historic speech . . .
For more coverage, visit our press room.
PATH has Charity Navigator’s highest rating—four stars! When you support PATH, you can be confident that your donation will be used efficiently.
Photos: PATH/Eric Becker, courtesy of the Clinton Global Initiative, PATH/Kimberly Whipkey, PATH/Evelyn Hockstein.
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