One of the projects that our team has been working on at HEAL Africa in Goma is the manufacturing of a fortified peanut butter based supplement for malnourished children.  The above report by 60-Minutes describes the dramatic impact a similar product is having in Niger.  Children who are HIV+ can only benefit from Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drug therapy if they receive proper nutrition.  Adequately nourished children may even be able to delay the start of ARV treatment.

The supplement we are close to manufacturing in Goma (that we’re calling Lotoba) can play a critical role in restoring malnourished kids to health.  Timo Acosta and Glenn Bean, two members of our 2008 Goma team, along with Marian Roan, also from First Pres., have been working hard this year with Global Strategies for HIV Prevention and HEAL Africa to set-up a small manufacturing facility in Goma that will be staffed primarily by Congolese women. 

We hope that some of the money raised through this fall’s HopeWalks on Sunday, October 26 here in Berkeley will fund the final start up costs of this project and support the first year of production.  Once commitments to Children of Grace in Uganda are met, proceeds from this year’s HopeWalks will go to fund the manufacturing of Lotoba in Goma.

You will be able to see a demonstration of the manufacturing process, learn more about this nutrition project and discover how you can help beginning October 17 at the Global Church Conference under the big tent on the plaza at First Pres. Berkeley.  The demonstration will be up through October 27. 

You can help save the lives of children in Goma who are HIV+.  To do so, please sign up to participate in HopeWalks.

Tim

Note:  You’ll probably need to watch a 30-second advertisement before viewing the report.