Since 1959 Self-Help has worked with farms families in developing countries. We deliberately concentrate on Ghana and Nicaragua - two impoverished countries with wide-spread malnutrition. Our primary crop focus is QPM, which has greater protein absorption and higher production yields than traditional corn. Self-Help provides education for small farm mechanization, improved grain drying, milling and seed storage.

 

Maize is the chief source of protein in Ghana and Nicaragua. Self-Help focuses efforts on infant and child feeding projects in Ghana and Nicaragua where corn porridge made from QPM and small amounts of barley malt is being fed to more than 2,500 children to alleviate malnutrition. The combination of QPM and pinches of barley malt enzymes increases digestible proteins and caloric intake, reducing stunted growth in children.

 

This Self-Help initiative is strongly supported by families, local and national governments, universities, students, volunteers and local staff. Diets, food handling, sanitation and general hygiene are improving through these partnerships.

 

Five billion (75 percent) of the worlds 6.8 billion people live in developing countries. More than 1 billion (15 percent) earn less than $ 1 a day, and of the $ 1, seventy-five cents is spent on food. (World Bank)

 

Contribute to Self-Help International, and help people to help themselves through education, nutrition and access to business loans. Visit our store to support the feeding program in Ghana

 

Dr. Borlaug’s Support

Here’s what Dr. Borlaug said about SHI’s efforts to alleviate malnutrition among children through its feeding program :

 

“I endorse this project because it is a simple and practical solution to alleviating hunger. I recognize the benefits of QPM and barley malt to babies and young children in developing countries, such as Ghana, where corn porridge is the typical weaning supplement. In addition, the project trains Ghanaians to manage the feeding centers and includes affordable and available food source (QPM and barley malt) that allows project sustainability.”

 

Dr. Norman E. Borlaug
SAA President
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 1970
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient
Self-Help International Honorary Board Member