Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ouagadougou (Fides Service) - Regular and abundant rain this year is a guarantee for a better harvest to relieve the situation of food crisis in Burkina Faso with a population of 12 million and third last on the list of developed countries according to recent UN figures.
This year’s rosy prospects do not mean that people who prepare Misola are out of work. Misola is 60% Millet, 20 % Soya, 10 % ground nuts, 9 % sugar and 1% di salt. It is produced at the Centre run by the Camillian Fathers and is the fruit of studies and tests by a French paediatrician Dr. Laurent, tired of seeing so many African children die because they could not live on their mother’s milk scarcely nutritious because of poor harvests due to drought or locusts.
This “mixture” of available cereals helps feeding mothers and prevents malnutrition. “Misola” also helps mothers wean children even those who continue to breastfeed their infants.
Every morning an average of 500 patients come to the Centre including dozens of mothers and babies. Before they leave after the doctor’s examination each receives a bag containing 500gr of flour which diluted in water will last 3/5 days. (AP/GG) (3/11/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:22; Parole:253)
