Soy Milk for Children – North Korea
Nearly one half of the children in North Korea suffer from malnutrition. They need nutrients to help their bodies and minds develop. An innovative machine called the VitaGoat grinds and processes soybeans into soymilk, providing essential nutrients to hungry children in a cost-effective way. This machine is effective in many areas of the country where electricity is scarce or non-existent because it is run by a pedal-bike and fueled by a wood or coal-burning stove. Each machine can feed up to 2,000 children a day!
$7,100 will purchase a Vita goat, enough soybeans for 3 months and three stainless steel containers for the soymilk
VitaGoat
Approximately 44% of children in the DPRK suffer from malnutrition and another 23% are underweight (WHO, 2004). The VitaGoat is an innovative machine that grinds and processes soybeans into soymilk, providing essential nutrients to hungry children in a cost-effective way. This machine is effective in many areas of the country where electricity is scarce or non-existent because it is run by a pedal-bike and fueled by a wood or coal-burning stove. Each machine can feed up to 2,000 children a day!
- One VitaGoat costs $3,500 or approximately $290/month for a year.
Soymilk:
There is a lot of nutrition packed in a cup of soymilk! Soybeans are considered a complete nutritional source, containing all the essential amino acids the body needs. Our North Korean partners report that with soymilk added to the children’s diet, they are more energetic, their skin improves and they grow more. A daily cup of soymilk has been proven to be very beneficial to a child’s health and growth.
- 1 cup of soymilk costs 3 cents
Stainless Steel Milk Cans
First Steps provides new stainless steel milk cans to ensure the sanitary delivery of soymilk from soymilk production centers to various orphanages and daycares in Nampo, Wonsan and Hyongjesan. A very important component of our programs is to provide the soymilk factory directors with an adequate holding container.
- One milk can costs $100
Sprinkles for one baby
“Sprinkles” was developed by Dr. Stanley Zlotkin at the Toronto Hospital for Sick Kids, and has since come to worldwide acclamation, being used by many large aid organizations worldwide (UNICEF, World Vision, CIDA, USAID, etc). Sprinkles are sachets containing a blend of micronutrients in powder form, which are easily sprinkled onto foods prepared in the home. At 5 cents per sachet, Sprinkles is taken weekly and can prevent malnutrition, anemia and other crippling diseases like scurvy and rickets.
Over 40% of all children in North Korea are stunted (UCHA Office stats) and Sprinkles is a cost-effective way of promoting proper nutritional growth in young children. Babies age 6-24 months need Sprinkles (18 months in total) to procure essential micronutrients to grow at this critical time frame.
- $4.50 provides Sprinkles for a baby
- $22.50 provides 5 babies with Sprinkles