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Co-fortified Salt Program
| For several months, Medical Missionaries has been consulting
with the Haiti program of Notre Dame University which has developed a salt product to overcome two health problems in Haiti.
Lymphatic filariasis is a disease that results in goiter and other growths that can be crippling. Delayed brain development
in children can result in lifelong deficiencies. The Notre Dame program fortifies salt with two ingredients to overcome
these diseases: iodine and DEC. With assistance from the Notre Dame program, Medical Missionaries is introducing Bon
Sel ("Good Salt") to Thomassique, starting with the outlying village of Baranque.
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We were fortunate to be in Baranque on Sunday, September
13, for the inauguration of the Bon Sel program. In previous weeks, with the help of the two Medical Missionaries Global
Health Fellows, the people of Baranque had formed a Bon Sel committee to sell the co-fortified salt through the church.
At the end of the 9AM service, the church sacristan introduced the Fellows to the congregation and explained the advantages
of using co-fortified salt. He encouraged the congregation to stop by the parish hall and purchase the salt.
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The people were anxious to try
the salt. They formed a line around the building. More than 75 lbs. of salt were sold the first day.
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There was pride in being
able to leave with bags of salt. | 
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The Bon Sel committee posed for a photo
after the sale. Their ownership of this program will guarantee its continuation. Members of the committee will
sell the salt each day of the week from the parish office. |
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