Photo Credit : Counterpart

U.S. Ambassador to Senegal Richard C. Roth gave high marks to the Counterpart International (CPI) project that is taking advantage of high-protein soy product to fight hunger while helping increase school attendance by 25 percent. Last November, Roth visited Counterpart's Global Food for Education (GFEI) Program in the northern region of the West African nation. He saw how high-protein soy has complemented CPI's program which provides a daily, hot nutritious meal to more than 16,000 school children since early 2003.

The World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) program has trained CPI staff about soy products, which is allowing staff to then teach school officials how to use the products. WISHH consultants have also recently completed consumer acceptance surveys that show that soy got unanimous approval from children, food preparers and the teachers at the schools.

"WISHH not only provided CPI with soy products with superior nutritional value but with vital technical assistance as well, both of which have made a crucial difference in our Food for Education Program in Senegal," said Thoric Cederstrom, CPI Vice President for Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture. "The addition of high-quality protein from soy gives these school children a chance for a brighter future. The WISHH initiative of private-sector involvement in the development of children is unique among the commodity groups and should be emulated!"

 

 

 

Caption: U.S. Ambassador to Senegal Richard Roth (second from left) poses with Counterpart International staff in the storage area for soy protein products from WISHH. The products helped jumpstart the USDA-funded school feeding program in Senegal that has boosted school attendance by 25 percent and received praise from Roth as well as Senegalese government leaders. Photo credit Counterpart.

Counterpart received 6 tons of soy from WISHH and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM). WISHH and CPI used the shipment to prove that Textured Vegetable Protein™ (TVP) would be an excellent addition to the children's meals. Another product in the shipment, soy protein isolate, will be used to boost local foods and target a broader population, including women, infants and children.

"ADM is pleased to partner with WISHH to help bring nutritious, soy-based meals to children that are lacking in basic nutrition needs," said Brian Peterson, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs.

Senegalese government leaders have praised the meals program because is has provided a powerful incentive to keep children in school in a country where children are often needed to herd cattle to seasonal pastures. The district where CPI provided meals was one of only two in the country that surpassed its government-defined enrollment goals.

(State) and other state soybean organizations support WISHH along with ASA and the United Soybean Board. Through WISHH, America's soybean growers build more bridges between America's bounty and sustainable nutrition programs in countries where rapidly growing populations of all income levels can benefit from soy in their diets.