Caused by a lack in the diet, malnutrition, worms, and other diseases that interfere with Vitamin A absorption, Vitamin A deficiency affects children aged under six years and women of childbearing age, whose Vitamin A status during pregnancy and nursing influences the Vitamin A status of their children. Field studies have shown an association between this status and three of the leading causes of childhood mortality. Deficiencies of Vitamin A are known to cause nutritional blindness in children, making them more vulnerable to complications from diarrhea, respiratory infections, and measles, all of which can result in death. Children with a Vitamin A deficiency are found to develop these illnesses at two to three times the rate of other children.
Vitamin A Project
The Vitamin A Project began through the vision of one person, Willard Davidson, a past district director of Lions Clubs International and a W/NP board member. Willard has worked tirelessly, meeting with Lions Clubs throughout the state of Wisconsin. His project seeks to lower child mortality in Nicaragua by providing Vitamin A
supplementation programs for children and women of childbearing age as increasing Vitamin A intake is recognized as one of the most cost-effective interventions for child survival. It is estimated that a twenty to twenty-five percent reduction in infant and child deaths can be achieved through Vitamin A interventions alone.
Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas, Inc. volunteers work with Lions Clubs International and Direct Relief International to purchase Vitamin A and deliver it to Nicaragua. Counterparts in Nicaragua work closely with Ministerio de Salud to dispense the precious Vitamin A capsules to children and mothers as part of national immunization clinics that occur bi-annually. Through these clinics, W/NP is taking bold steps to prevent blindness in the children of Nicaragua.
