October 2017, Sanna, Co-founder of Lee Sisters visits children in rural areas of Nandi County. These are some of the children who will benefit from the vitamin A and Deworming supplements — October 2017, Sanna, Co-founder of Lee Sisters visits children in rural areas of Nandi County. These are some of the children who will benefit from the vitamin A and Deworming supplements

Minneapolis, MN - Lee Sisters Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity that helps women and children living in extreme poverty, received a micronutrient grant from Vitamin Angels, a California based charity. The grant includes 35,500 doses of Vitamin A and 32,000 doses of Albendazole (deworming tablet) to be distributed to nutrient deficient children in Kenya.

Lee Sisters has partnered with officials from Nandi County in Kenya to ensure the most vulnerable and at-risk children in the county receive vitamin A and deworming supplements. Ruth Koech, Minister of Health for Nandi County stated “We are so grateful. This grant will save lives of children who are currently suffering from vitamin A deficiency and are infected with worms. These children have suppressed immune systems and as a result easily die from preventable and curable causes, such as malaria, respiratory illnesses, diarrhea and others.”

Vitamin A - The power to save lives

It only takes two doses of vitamin A per year to combat the devastating effects of vitamin A deficiency. These supplements strengthen immune systems, helping to fight off life-threatening illnesses for children who lack access to foods with vitamin A. Our bodies rely on vitamin A for many purposes, all of which are essential for day-to-day activities and long-term health. When a child lacks this nutrient during the early stages of development, they can get sick, experience stunted growth, go blind and even die.

>View vitamin A infographic

Deworming - Improving the health of children

Parasitic worms in children can lead to malnutrition. Deworming children allows them to absorb the critical nutrients needed to be and stay healthy. Deworming children improves their health. Even small parasitic worms can cause pain, discomfort and illness. To kill the parasitic worms, children receive a deworming tablet twice per year.

Sanna Lee, co-founder of Lee Sisters Foundation stated “We are thrilled to receive the grant from Vitamin Angels, as it is the first grant we’ve applied for, and the first grant we’ve been awarded. We are a young organization, having been in existence only a couple of years, so it is encouraging to receive a grant like this. It will allow us to reach and help a large number of children in Kenya who are currently micronutrient deficient, meaning their bodies lack the nutrients enabling them to be healthy. This grant means we will save and improve the lives of thousands of children, which is a huge success for Lee Sisters Foundation.”

To learn more or to support the work of Lee Sisters Foundation, visit www.leesisters.org

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Lee Sisters Foundation is a Minneapolis based charity whose mission is to help women and children living in extreme poverty. Current projects include sponsoring children who live in Tassia slum in Nairobi, building a children’s home for orphans in Nandi County, and supporting women and children whose basic needs are unmet.