The Power of Nutrition: Improving Childhood Development

This winter, for just £50 you can provide warm clothing, blankets and fuel for families who otherwise may not survive the winter

One of our unique projects is the Springs of Hope family centre for Syrian orphans and widowed mothers. With over 215 orphans in our full time care and 70 widowed mothers, Springs of Hope is a safe home located on the border of Turkey and Syria, in Reyhanli, where we provide food, clothes, healthcare and education to the orphans, as well as help the mothers up-skill to find work.

SKT Welfare will be distributing warm clothing, blankets and fuel to families in Pakistan, Gaza, Syria, Kashmir and here at home in the UK. For just £50, you can help make sure a family in need receive warmth and protection this winter.

Temperatures drop below freezing at night during the winter months, and many of Pakistan’s poorest and most vulnerable people just don’t have the money to buy winter clothes or blankets. Millions of the country’s poorest people live in fear that they won’t make it through the winter

Here Are Some Reasons Why Nutrition Can Help a Child’s Development:

1. Creates a Strong Immune System

Foods such as potatoes, broccoli, fish, nuts, red meat, oranges, and garlic all strengthen immunity. Having a strong immune system means children become ill much less regularly and can fight off any illnesses naturally and much more quickly.

2. Provides Vitamins and Minerals

Having a healthy, balanced, and nutritious meal will allow children to absorb vitamins and minerals from different foods naturally. Some foods that are high in minerals and vitamins that are good for children include tuna, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products like milk and cheese.

Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, fibre, iron, and magnesium are all important for a child’s development. For example, Vitamin A is good for healthy eyes and skin, fibre is to ensure a healthy digestive system, and magnesium means healthy bones.

3. Promotes Brain Development and Improves Mood

Having good nutrition means a child’s brain development and function are at a higher rate. Having a good diet will help children with concentration at school and to understand and retain new information. Not only that, but making sure a child has eaten enough before school or a day out will improve their mood and avoid being ‘hangry’!

4. Encourages Healthy Eating Later in Life

If a child is fed nutritious and healthy meals during their childhood, they are likely to carry this habit into their adult life, which will, in turn, increase their quality of life. Ultimately, it starts from childhood, so nutrition should be taken seriously.

If a child sees you cooking homemade, nutritious meals, this is likely to have a positive impact on them, and if you involve them in cooking it, it can make it more encouraging and fun for them!

Orphans

Many children around the world, including orphans, do not have adequate nutrition in their diets. Orphans are at greater risk of being hungry as widowed mothers often aren’t able to be employed to provide for their families.

Orphans in Need is working to provide food packages through collecting charity online to fight hunger and poverty.

£35 a month will provide a food parcel for a widowed family with no income or breadwinner, which includes essential items like rice, flour, oil, sugar, salt, lentils, and clean water.

We are working to break the cycle of world hunger and poverty through charity. Every year, there is enough food produced to feed everyone and ensure no one goes hungry, but because of over-indulgence, people go hungry. On top of that, food waste is at a staggering rate of 30-40%.

Feeding Others in Islam

It is extremely important to help others in any way we can as Muslims, including feeding the hungry. There are many hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about the importance of feeding others and giving charity in general. Feeding someone who is hungry is considered an act of Sadaqah, and it is such an easy act to do but holds so much reward.

Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The food for two persons is sufficient for three, and the food of three persons is sufficient for four persons.” (Sahih al Bukhari 5392)

Another hadith states: “Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives, Allah adds to his respect; and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people).” (Muslim)

“A charity is due for every joint in each person on every day the sun comes up: to act justly between two people is a charity; to help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is a charity; a good word is a charity; and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Donate

We should see opportunities to give charity as a great blessing from Allah (SWT).

Give charity to Orphans in Need today and be the reason for someone’s happiness. Just £35 a month will feed up to a family of five for a whole month. Donate online now.

Gain the rewards of such a beautiful act of Sadaqah. A hadith states: “If a Muslim feeds a hungry Muslim, Allah will feed him from the fruits of Paradise on the Day of Judgment.”