What Are Micronutrients?
Micronutrients are substances that are needed in small amounts so that the body can produce enzymes, hormones and other substances essential for proper growth and development.
The most important of these micronutrients are iron, vitamin A and iodine.
Even in places where people have enough to eat, they may not have resources to fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, milk products, and other foods rich in vitamins and minerals. In Southeast Asia, the primary diet of the people we aid is rice which does not provide the essential micronutrients neccessary for normal growth.
Diets poor in micronutrients may cause conditions such as blindness, premature death, impaired mental development, and susceptibility to incfections.
Each year, one million children die before the age of five and 100,000 infants are born with preventable physical defects each year. (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition [GAIN], 2007)
​Sprinkles
​
Sprinkles are a blend of micronutrients in powder
form. Just as the name suggests, families 'sprinkle' the powdered nutrients and mix it with their food. One packet of sprinkles is one serving so they are easy to distribute and no measuring is required and provides one dose of micronutrients. Sprinkles are an affordable source of micronutrients. $1 a month or $12 a year provides nutrition for a child for an entire year.