After what seemed like a never-ending journey from airplane, to boat, to car, three UCF seniors on a mission trip to end malnutrition in Haiti were welcomed by children shouting, \u201cBon bagay isit,\u201d which in Creole means, \u201cGood things are here!\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of their involvement with International Medical Outreach, a registered student organization, Brittney Osterhoudt (biomedical sciences major), Cindy Toledo (social work major), and Cristhian Valor (biomedical sciences major) have dedicated three years of their lives to international medical outreach in various countries, and the past six months to increasing health and ending malnutrition in Haiti. \u00a0How? By introducing a plant that can supply all the nutrients needed in a well-balanced diet. It\u2019s called moringa, and the group thinks it is the answer to many of the Haitian community\u2019s health woes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like growing vitamins in your backyard,\u201d said Toledo. She brought the idea of introducing and expanding access to the plant in Haiti to the medical-outreach \u00a0group about six months ago after acquiring a sponsorship by BioPlanet International.<\/p>\n
Every month since then, she has seen her vision for a self-sustaining project take root. \u201cBy the end of our last trip, the Haitian children were planting the moringa and taking charge. You give a sense of ownership to these kids and they take it to a whole new level!\u201d<\/p>\n
Moringa provides many essential vitamins and minerals. It can be eaten right off the plant, or dried and used as a spice or vitamin supplement. The parts of the plant that are usually not eaten, like the stems, are recommended to be fed to animals to increase their production and health.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like the tree of life, it gives hope to each person one leaf at a time,\u201d said Toledo about the plant that is native to subtropical parts of Africa and Asia.<\/p>\n
As far as nutrition goes, in a gram-for-gram comparison moringa is equivalent to four oranges (Vitamin C), four bananas (potassium), four carrots (Vitamin A), one egg (protein) and four servings of milk (calcium).\u00a0It helps with hypertension, anemia, vaginal infections, malnutrition, improves eyesight and helps build strong bones. It has a slightly spicy taste.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d compare it to a spicy spinach,\u201d said Osterhoudt. \u201cSome say it\u2019s similar to arugula.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is a very hardy plant that grows in tough conditions. Up to 75 percent of its leaves can be taken and it still grows. Those who want to see this miracle plant first hand don\u2019t have to go far. The UCF Arboretum has a few moringa plants.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe UCF variety is actually spicier than the variety we tasted in Haiti,\u201d said Valor.<\/p>\n
During their trip, the group planted more than 100 trees and distributed more than 500 seeds in a community garden and at individual households. They left their gardening tools with community members so they can continue to cultivate and spread the plant. Valor and Osterhoudt plan to return in December and May respectively, to check on the plants.<\/p>\n
All three students involved in the mission trips say that their involvement has impacted their decision on what to do with their lives after college. All plan to visit Haiti again in the coming months. Valor is even learning Creole, so he can communicate better with the people he meets. \u201cI\u2019ve seen the kids grow,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not just there to help, but I\u2019m their friend as well. As I continue to grow in my profession, I want to stay involved. I love these people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Osterhoudt said: \u201cThe best part of UCF is the opportunity you are given\u2026I feel like IMO changed my life.\u201d<\/p>\n