More than a third of the global population is infected by intestinal parasites. In addition to causing pain and illness, parasitic worms consume as much as 20% of a person’s daily nutritional intake.

For children in the most disadvantaged parts of the world – like Haiti, where malnutrition is already rampant due to food insecurity – worms can mean the difference between life and death if left untreated.

How it’s contracted? Typically through contaminated soil, vegetation, food and water.

The treatment? One chewable abendazole tablet, twice a year, and a child can be rid of intestinal worms. This means that they are better able to absorb available nutrients and focus on the job of growing up!

In 2016, after a successful first year of collaboration, Vitamin Angels has broadened its partnership with CMMB in Kenya, Haiti, Peru, South Sudan and Zambia. Vitamin Angels provides Vitamin A, albendazole (for deworming), and multivitamins for babies, young children and pregnant and nursing mothers.

In 2016, nearly 120,000 babies, young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers were reached with critical vitamins and medicine.

Our goal over the next five years is to treat over a million people around the world and continue providing essential medication to those most in need.

It is important for the families to know that vitamins and medicine are free. Keeping one family in good health is good for the whole community, and I thank Vitamin Angels for helping us.

—Angela Fornesi, RN, St. Rose of Lima Clinic, Gris Gris, Haiti