WONG FOUNDATION AND DE WAAL FOUNDATION, UNITED AGAINST CHRONIC CHILD MALNUTRITION

Since September, the Wong Foundation and the De Waal Foundation have been implementing the “Growing up is my commitment” program, designed to promote a culture of good pre- and post-natal care for children from 0 to 5 years of age, with the aim of preventing chronic child malnutrition (CCM). This problem seriously affects the country, where the latest report of the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) revealed that 19.3% of children under 2 years of age present CCM, placing Ecuador in fourth place in Latin America with the highest rates.

In response to this worrying situation, a group of educators from the four Child Development Centers (CDI) of Fundación Wong participated in a three-month training program lasting 40 certified hours. Through playful and reflective activities, they were provided with key tools to promote the health and wellbeing of children and their families. The contents included the importance of breastfeeding, improvements in infant diet and strategies to replicate this knowledge in the communities.

These promotors are now prepared to guide parents in the adoption of balanced dietary practices that favor the healthy development of infants.

Graduation and sensitization event
On Thursday, December 12, the graduation ceremony for 24 trained promotors was held. During the event, an open house was held with interactive stands that addressed topics such as proper food portions, nutritional balance on a plate, food classification and calculating the appropriate body mass index (BMI). These activities reinforced essential concepts that the promotors will share with families to promote healthy eating practices.

Partnerships for sustainable impact
Ricardo Romero, executive director of the Wong Foundation, highlighted the importance of this joint work: “In our CDIs we serve children from 1 to 3 years old and with this alliance, we expand our impact by accompanying mothers and fathers from pregnancy, ensuring a good prenatal development and a healthy birth. If a child lacks good nutrition in early childhood, he or she may face learning difficulties that will affect his or her future”.

Santiago Recalde, executive director of the De Waal Foundation in Ecuador, emphasized: “We firmly believe in the processes of education and sustainable work with communities. Working in alliances guarantees us lasting results. 'Growing up is my commitment', in force since 2023, is strengthened with the participation of Fundación Wong to improve nutrition from the prenatal stage through early childhood.”

The initiative also has the support of the company Reylácteos, whose medical team has facilitated the training process, consolidating the impact of this alliance in the promotion of children's health.

A commitment to integral development
In addition to promoting healthy eating, Fundación Wong's CDIs offer early stimulation and preventive health programs for children in low-income rural communities in Los Ríos and Santo Domingo. These actions actively involve families, creating an environment conducive to adequate and sustainable child development.