To truly understand our mission and appreciate the work we do, it is essential to understand the conditions under which the people of Haiti are living. As you know, our efforts are driven by love and sustained entirely by volunteers who are committed to supporting a region widely regarded as one of the most challenging environments in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti continues to face the compounded impacts of natural disasters, political instability, and ongoing violence, among many other hardships.
Our goal is to ensure that this group of students can continue attending school without interruption. Within the school setting, students are not only provided with an education, but also with access to food, clean drinking water, and essential medical care. These resources are often unavailable at home.
In this article, we place a special focus on malnutrition, highlighting its critical role in preventing girls from fully engaging in learning. There is a well-known saying in Haiti, “Sak vid pa kanpe,” which translates to “an empty sack cannot stand.” Without proper nutrition, a child’s ability to focus, learn, and thrive is significantly compromised.
What Is Malnutrition?
According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition involves the “…deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients” (2024). Malnutrition is a global health concern that affects individuals regardless of the social determinants of health. Malnutrition leads to conditions such as stunting, low weight, and risk of infections; in Haiti, malnutrition is a critical concern that requires constant focus and management. Malnutrition is influenced by factors such as food insecurity, medical, physical, and dietary concerns. Those who experience eating disorders (i.e., bulimia, anorexia nervosa) are at increased risk of mental illnesses and physical concerns relevant to rapid weight loss, severe exhaustion, and harm to various organs in the body.
Key Statistics (Haiti):
5.7 million- food insecurity
5.4 million- unable to feed themselves
54.2%- undernourished
21.6%- stunted growth (Children < 5)
5.5%- die before 5th birthday
Why Is Malnutrition Imperative To Learn About?
Food is a basic necessity; families are suffering from food inaccessibility, and it is crucial to support families in need. Learning about malnutrition will ensure that this generation and the future generation are prepared for crises, equipping themselves with knowledge regarding disease, food safety, and the significance of poverty in nutrition.
Strategies To Overcome Malnutrition:
Eat nutrient-dense foods
Donate to local food pantries and food insecurity organizations
Focus on adding, not subtracting, different foods
Snack between meals
Increase hydration levels
Pay attention to your hunger cues
With your help, we can reduce malnutrition, promoting a healthier environment for individuals experiencing nutritional concerns. Every individual deserves access to food and learning about best practices in relation to nutrition.
In closing, we invite you to consider organizing a non-perishable food drive, including chewable multivitamins, for our students. We will work diligently to ensure the items are shipped and delivered to the school location. Please email us at info@itiahangels.org to let us know how we can support you in organizing a drive.
Together, we can ensure that hunger does not stand in the way of education.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorexia-nervosa/symptoms-causes/syc-20353591
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/10/1166080
https://www.wfp.org/news/hunger-haiti-reaches-historic-high-one-two-haitians-now-acute-hunger
https://www.globalhungerindex.org/haiti.html
By Anjali Ravi
Bachelor of Science (Public Health), May 2026
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
English 
Spanish