RAM Swaziland Food Aid Project

Program parameters: This food distribution program was initiated December 2005 due to the need for nutritional support for the patients identified by the Home Based Care (HBC) program at Good Shepherd hospital which provides a staff of nurses who make community visits to the outlying rural area. Over thirty percent of the current population suffers from HIV/Aids, many of whom are on ARV treatment and are monitored by the HBC team. Often, due to severe drought, illness, and poverty, these people and their families are without basic food and water supplies necessary to sustain life or provide the capacity to overcome the overwhelming detriment to health caused by HIV/Aids.

Food Packs Provided: This program provides 15 food packs a day/ 75 packs weekly to the HBC team for distribution on their scheduled trips into the various rural communities. Each community is visited approximately once per month. Therefore, each recipient family receives one pack per month.
The contents of the food pack include:

Maize Meal	10kg	R20.00
Beans	2kg	R13.00
Peanuts	1kg	R6.00
Sugar	1kg	R4.00
Soap	¼ bar	R0.80
Salt	500g	R0.95
Oil	375ml	R3.50
Sweets	10	R0.70
Packaging		R12.00
Milk daily supply 50-75ml

Approximate cost of each food pack is Rand 70.00 or U.S. $10.00 with some fluctuation of price and supply.

Advancement of Food Program: During a prolonged site visit in August thru December, 2006, by RAM volunteers, the target population was further increased to include the support of children hospitalized in the pediatric ward due to malnutrition. RAM volunteers were approached by the pediatrician, Dr. Joyce, to help support children who were admitted to the hospital with their mother or caregiver due to malnutrition with a subsequent high risk of mortality. All malnutrition pediatric cases are tested for HIV and approximately 90% of these children and mothers are found to be HIV/Aids positive which greatly contributes to the demise of their health and nutritional status.

The RAM program is now providing two food packs to these mothers/children upon discharge from the hospital and additionally once a month for 3 months following discharge monitored by HBC for weight gain and improved nutrition and health. These children are typically hospitalized for 2-3 weeks, during which time a program for support and education of the mothers focusing on nutrition, childcare, and ARV compliance as well as the prevention of the transmission of disease will be initiated. The food packs are similar to the previously described pack contents with the addition of peanut butter, increased amount of beans for added protein and skin care ointment, with a slightly increased price. The program, when running at full capacity should provide approximately 60 food packs per month.

Other projects: RAM funds have also been used to build an orphan/vulnerable child carepoint to provide a rustic facility where children who are orphaned can come and receive two meals a day and primary education from a volunteer teacher. Also, several children were identified to be in great need of a wheelchair, previously transported minimally by use of a makeshift wheelbarrow and were provided with such.

This RAM program was directed and funded by long-time RAM volunteers Jon Berman MD and Physical Therapist wife Amy. They were also accompanied by their 2 year-old son Max who enjoyed making friends with Swazi children his own age.