Rosa* was four months pregnant, working full time, and caring for her almost 2-year-old son, Dario*, who was diagnosed with anemia. Unfortunately, Dario didn’t like the taste of the iron sulfate he had to take. He would spit it out and lose his appetite during meals.

When Rosa saw a local church announcement about an anemia project for pregnant women and children under 3, she was thrilled. The project included follow-up visits arranged according to her schedule and the opportunity to ask health care professionals about her specific situation. Rosa and Dario were not only tested, but they also received iron supplementation and nutritional educational training based on foods available in her local market.

Rosa learned iron-rich recipes and the importance of micronutrients in the absorption of iron. After one year in the project, Rosa and Dario had normal hemoglobin levels and, most importantly, her new baby girl was born without anemia.

*Names changed to maintain privacy

At 24, Elizabeth* gave birth to her third child prematurely. Her baby was diagnosed with a rare, inborn metabolic disorder that causes weak muscular development and failure to thrive. Her quick-thinking doctors worked out a plan to transport Elizabeth to Lima, where her baby can receive life-saving support.

Coming from a rural area, Elizabeth had no family or friends in Lima, but she was able to rent a small hut atop a motor shop by working as a clothes cleaner and selling food on the streets. Although working tirelessly to support herself and her children, she couldn’t meet all her family’s needs, including her youngest’s urgent medical care. Eventually, her efforts brought her to the attention of an HBI Ines Project Health Ambassador, and she enrolled in the program.

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