Program summary for Thrive to Five.

WHAT WE DO.  Through Thrive to Five, we deliver a daily dosing of an essential micronutrient supplement (or “multivitamin”) to children under five and pregnant and lactating women. Focusing on those living in settings where undernutrition or malnutrition are prevalent, we reach children before their health and development are negatively impacted, and increase the health of both mother and child. The supplements distributed through Thrive to Five give children the vital first step they need to excel physically and cognitively, rather than simply surviving their key development years. Well-nourished children are better able to take advantage of available educational opportunities.

Vitamin Angels focuses on vulnerable populations in countries with documented malnutrition. We achieve results by working with partners that have a local presence and intimate understanding of the community being served. Our partners distribute essential micronutrients at the community level employing a variety of proven methods that are consistent with accepted best practices. Project approaches are individualized and localized solutions are applied. We seek to form long term partnerships to ensure that our projects will be in place to improve child and maternal health for years to come.

WHERE WE WORK.  In 2010, Thrive to Five delivered over 120,000,000 doses of essential micronutrients to over 300,000 at-risk children and mothers in 26 countries, including the United States.

In 2011, in addition to maintaining the number of beneficiaries we serve, we will also focus on building internal capacity. In particular, we will strengthen our capacity to identify and vet local partners in priority countries like India, and will undertake independent program monitoring and evaluation.

WHY MICRONUTRIENTS.  Each year millions of children are affected by malnutrition. Approximately 8.1 million children under age five died in 2009. Undernutrition annually accounts for more than one-third of these deaths. Essential micronutrient supplements (or “multivitamins”) containing selected vitamins and nutrients (particularly vitamin A, iron, iodine, folate and zinc) as formulated and recommended by the WHO and UNICEF, are believed to mitigate against the effects of undernutrition and malnutrition among children under five. Individually and combined, essential micronutrients are important for proper immune function, structural integrity of cells, and cognitive development of infants and children.

Essential micronutrient supplements can not only reduce deaths and sickness among children but also promote educational development which is recognized to be positively linked to economic development.