There are many places in the world where millions of people suffer from a wide range of diseases due to abject poverty as well as hunger that not only affects their health, but also the quality of their life and financial wellbeing. Many of these people can be found in sub-Saharan Africa and much closer to home, in Mexico and the US as well.

This is because the twin problems of poverty and hunger know no bounds and are like insidious cancer that can appear and strike just about anywhere. However, in the more poverty-stricken nations of the world, the most common diseases range from infections and chronic health conditions all the way to chronic malnutrition and complications of childbirth. In order to combat these diseases and reduce their incidence and prevention amongst the most vulnerable sections of society, a lot of work is required that focuses on curing, caring, and prevention.

Since those of us who are privileged enough to have plenty are in a position to do something, it is towards such people that they hold out their hand in mute appeal. Since they cannot help themselves it falls on us to understand that orphans need our help.

o They ‘Lack’ So Much While We ‘Have’ So Much

In places where there is no food security, the need of the hour is to get food to the needy as quickly and as efficiently possible so that the diseases caused by malnutrition are avoided. While a comprehensive preventive strategy includes a number of factors, such as immunization and optimal nutrition, but it is important to focus on improving the health literacy amongst the orphans while simultaneously working to take care of both hunger and malnutrition in the various communities where they are prevalent.

In this regard, health literacy is almost universally defined as the “ability to read, understand, and act on health care information.” As a matter of fact, a number of demographic surveys and research studies have been conducted and they all suggest that the health outcomes of the younger members of a population are affected directly by that population’s health literacy as well as access to nutritional food.

In fact, a systematic literature review was conducted by Darren et al that found that the health literacy of an orphan child also directly influences his or her health behaviors, ability to adhere to medication regimes, attitude towards disease screening and prevention, their risk of hospitalization, as well as the risk for developing a number of health conditions, including ulcers (caused by chronic malnutrition) various types of cancers, and even depression.  It is critical to combat those and this is exactly why orphans need our help, all the more.

o Hunger: The Common Enemy

In this regard, the continent of Africa has the lowest health literacy rate in the whole world while simultaneously having some of the highest ever malnutrition rates (especially amongst young children), with South Africa and Zimbabwe having the highest literacy rate of 80 percent, while Niger and Burkina have the lowest health literacy rate where only 10 percent of women can read, write, and understand any healthcare related information.

This is why improving the overall health literacy rate of the population of these countries in any way is also widely expected to improve their healthcare outcomes, as well. Even as it leads us to a substantial reduction in infant mortality rate.

Moreover, access to healthy and nutritious food amongst the target communities with special reference to the disabled, the widows and above all else the orphans, themselves would help them overcome these problems and thereby improve the overall quality of their lives for the better.

o The Desperation Of Sub Saharan Africa

Let us take as an example the nation of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast. Thanks to a never-ending series of civil wars as well as other natural and even man-made disasters including a near complete lack of good governance that has plagued Ivory Coast since 2002, there is rampant food insecurity in the country. In fact, in the riverine forests of northern Ivory Coast, there have been unconfirmed reports of cannibalism, so endemic had food security become!

The pitiful plight of families that have lost their male members is considerably bleaker as they no longer have the means to support themselves. This is in large part due to the fact that their lands have been heavily bombed, mined and encroached upon. Such widows and orphans are almost entirely dependent on charity and food aid deliveries through international relief organizations to eke out their day to day existence.

If we will not be there for them not just in Sub Saharan Africa, but right here as well, closer to home then they have no one else to go to and might be condemned to perish in misery.

o Conclusion

In the light of the above discussion, it can easily be seen that it is the need of the hour to help out to the best of our abilities. In fact, we have to help orphans in need because they have quite simply no one else to turn to, expect those kind souls who have their welfare at heart. We, at Tommy’s Team, encourage and help orphans in need so that they too acquire an education. We also actively work to make the community around us a better place to live in and would want and like people to send us their ideas so that we can make the world becomes a universally better place for orphans in need.  We can be reached at http://www.tommysteam.com/..... Please.....LIKE......JOIN.....SHARE.....To Help Others.......Thanks.........