Hello everyone,

As some of you may know, I work as a volunteer for the Child in Need Institute (CINI) UK, which helps vulnerable children and women in India.

Child malnutrition is a major problem in India.  One in eleven children born in India currently die before the age of six and around half these deaths are related to malnutrition.  Many more are left with learning difficulties, disabilities or chronic ill health because of a lack of vital nutrients during the most critical period for child development.

The recent rise in prices for staples such as rice and wheat in India have increased the number of poor families facing hunger. We have been striving to make a difference - by providing nutritious food and clean water to severely malnourished children in our emergency ward, to the vital work of preventing malnutrition through education and awareness raising work in the community.

CINI UK has helped bring hope to poor families, while also building up community knowledge on good nutrition and how to treat common gastric infections.   In combination with a lack of nutritious food, these infections, if they go untreated, can result in starvation.

On the 9th of July, I will be fasting for 36 hours, in aid of our work to prevent malnutrition. Your sponsorship could really make a tangible difference to those most affected.

£3.14 would cover the food needed to nurse a severely malnourished child back to health; £11 would cover the salary of a CINI health worker for a week, working to prevent malnutrition and improve maternal and child health; £40 is enough to give ten severely malnourished children a second chance, including all food, medical care and everything they need during their recovery. Think what you could do for more!!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Child In Need Institute (CINI) will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Thanks for your support!

Isabelle