This morning we were greeted not just by our wonderful in country partners, but by a big box of prenatal multivitamins (thank you Andrew Lessman and ProCaps!) in the back of their van that were coming along with us to the villages. I couldn't help but smile. It's always heartening to know that our vitamins have made it to the far reaches of the world.

This is Vitamin Angels' first visit to our projects in El Salvador. We are being hosted by our implementation partner MAP International (Kipp Branch from flew in from Georgia to meet us) and their terrific in-country partner FUSAL. Carlos, FUSAL's Executive Director, and Francisco, the Country Director for El Salvador, are serving as our tour guides, drivers, and translators. We're also pleased to have Karen and Beth from our donor partner Vitol along for the journey - Beth won a space on the trip after volunteering to shave her head as part of fundraising event last month! Vitamin Angels' Corporate Services Manager, Maureen and our resident photographer, Matt Dayka are here too.

Yesterday we visited Clinica el Carmelo, a major health care facility run by Carmelite nuns in the town of Soyapango. Sister Isabel (with a beautiful endless smile on her face) showed us around. We learned that chronic malnutrition is a significant problem, about 50% of children under 5 suffer from vitamin A deficiency, almost 20% are anemic and about 25% are stunted. Worms are also a major problem – Dr. Marilu estimated 80-100% of children are affected. But the clinic boasted a full pharmacy, stocked with bottles of vitamin A (thanks to a product donation from DSM, Ocean Nutrition and Natural Factors), and the clinic is successfully lowering the mortality rate for infants.

This morning, our group set out for the rural community of Santa Catarina Masahuat where I spoke with Rebecca Ruano, an enthusiastic health promoter who proudly told me she "loves this work." We talked about the problems associated with malnutrition and her insight was keen. The biggest problem is poverty; there is little work in this region and 30% of the people are unemployed during the agricultural season, that number rises to 60% in the off-season or if there is a drought or crop failure. And even when there is work, the common jobs such farm workers or house cleaners only pay about $1.50 per hour. The price of food has risen 4 times during the recent global economic downturn. In addition there are social issues; the father always gets to eat first, then there is a gender preference for boy children, next is girl children and last (even if she is pregnant) comes the mother. This coupled with a staple diet of tortillas, beans and rice (with chicken maybe once a month), only 2 meals a day (and smaller portions since food prices have gone up) makes it easy to see why chronic malnutrition is widespread and endemic.

The impact vitamins are having on these children's lives is so clear and real. In observing distributions these last 2 days and talking with the mothers and children who are benefiting from our programs here we know the need for vitamins is great – and the reception equally sincere. The look in these mothers' eyes says everything and reminds us why we 'love this work' too.

Upwards,

Howard Schiffer, President

Stay tuned for more photos, videos and guest blogs from the trip!

Read more about our trip to El Salvador here >>