Dr. Fern Kazlow

Please join me in making a difference!

Kids, dogs and yes, birds, too. They’re my soft spot and my passion.  If I could, my home would be packed to the rafters with even more of them than I have now (two kids with unlimited friends, six dogs, and a bird). I feel for anyone who’s hungry or in need but children and animals – those who can't take care of themselves and depend on the kindness of others – hit a place in my heart that flips on the “do something” switch.

Eleven years ago, when I was in Vietnam, it tore at my heart watching children and toddlers on the street, begging to feed their family. We met an incredible little girl.  She was ten years old and she had been taking care of her family since she was four!  She used to join us as we explored Ho Chi Minh City. Unable to attend school, she lacked formal education which she made up for with a huge heart and tons of street smarts. She was the source of income, the source of food, the source of life for her mother and younger brother. Their very existence depended on this beautiful, loving little girl.

My instinct was to pick her up and bring her home with us to the States and it broke my heart that I couldn't. The memories of her darling little face and her indomitable spirit have never left me. 

So many years later, I’ve found a way to help. I may not be able to feed her, but I can help children like her.  And I can make a significant difference in the lives of children around the world.

Now, partnered with Nourish the Children, I can reach children in the neediest areas of the world: from Malawi and Vietnam where poverty and hunger is the daily routine, to disaster areas such as Haiti after the earthquake and New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Nourish the Children is an amazing initiative.  No, it's not about just giving money which gets funneled out to who knows where. You are directly purchasing and donating food – nutritionally designed food targeted to nourish the brain and bones of malnourished children. By donating product rather than cash, donors know exactly how their contribution is being used and can be assured that their donation is making a difference in the lives of children. In some countries, donors receive a receipt for tax purposes from the charity partner for their in-kind donation of VitaMeal.

In addition, Nourish the Children makes it possible for children and families to get food and an education. It gives families incentives to send their children to school because Vitameal is distributed primarily through schools and community centers.

Nourish the Children works in collaboration with Feed the Children.  Feed The Children is one of the largest international charities in the United States, which specializes in distributing millions of pounds of food each year to families in more than 60 countries. The charity partner distributes the donated VitaMeal at no additional costs and provides regular reports documenting the receipt of food by those in need.  So, I purchase Vitameal bags of food that are then donated to feed these children.

I've made a commitment to find people to join me to feed 1000 children a month. A tax deductible $22 feeds one child a substantial meal of Vitameal for a month or provides one meal for 30 hungry kids. The food is not only targeted nutrition, it’s been formulated to be made as it is or cooked with local food staples – spices, vegetables, and protein when it’s available – so it retains a cultural flavor. And the kids really like it. I've seen videos of the children sharing and relishing their meals. One day I look forward to being there in person, joining in with others who donate to see first hand the comfort and joy Nourish the Children brings.

If you’d like to help, I'd appreciate your support.  Give whatever you can afford.  You can set up a monthly donation to feed one child a month or five or ten children. You can make a one time donation.  It’s up to you and any donation is always appreciated.

Also, if you know others who could also help me in this mission, I'd appreciate the connection.

Please give me a call or email me if you'd like to help me make a difference.  Just click here to contact me.