Empowering Students to Save Lives With RUTF: MOVE4MANA's First Cross Canada Challenge With 6 Universities

Author: Leah Chevallier, Operations Director, Food For Famine Society

In an inspiring display of care and community spirit, six leading Canadian universities are joining forces to host the first-ever MOVE4MANA Challenge. This two-week event, led by enthusiastic students from across Canada, and backed by the Food For Famine society, aims to raise awareness towards Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and to earn Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) packets. These packets provide lifesaving nutrition for children suffering with SAM in countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan.

The MOVE4MANA Challenge goes beyond just promoting physical activity; it actively contributes to a crucial global cause. Participants will utilize the MoveSpring app to track their activities, ranging from yoga and gardening to hiking and pickleball. The app tracks steps and time during each activity and every step logged will be transformed into Active Points. These Active Points will then be converted into RUTF packets for children in urgent need. What is RUTF? Learn more here!

The Participating Universities

This inaugural MOVE4MANA Challenge unites six prominent institutions via their World Vision Campus Clubs:

• York University

• Western University

• University of Alberta

• University of British Columbia (UBC)

• University of Ottawa

• McMaster University

  
  

These universities are renowned for their commitment to community engagement and global initiatives, making them ideal hosts for such a meaningful event.

The Role of Student Leadership

For many students, this challenge is a first step into philanthropy and social responsibility, opening doors to a future filled with humanitarian involvement and advocacy.

A standout feature of this event is that it is entirely student-led. The World Vision clubs at each participating university take the reins, empowering young leaders and fostering a sense of ownership in addressing critical global issues. This leadership not only ensures that the challenges are engaging but also reflects the vibrant spirit of the university community.

Engaging in the MOVE4MANA University Clubs Challenge goes beyond fitness; it offers a chance to be part of a greater cause that transcends local boundaries. Students can immerse themselves in activities that enhance their well-being and create significant changes in the lives of children thousands of miles away.

How MOVE4MANA & RUTF Works

Students at each university can easily get involved by downloading the MoveSpring app, where they can track their daily activities. Each movement logged earns Active Points that contribute to the collective goal of donating more RUTF packets.

The MoveSpring app motivates students to record their activities and track their progress.

The Active Points gathered from activities—such as a morning jog, a community clean-up, or a yoga session—will be transformed into RUTF packets. This innovative method not only motivates students to engage in physical exercise but also directly connects their efforts to a lifesaving cause.

Impact of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)

RUTF, or Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, is a specialized paste designed specifically to treat children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. A child under five receives RUTF during a comprehensive six-week treatment, which can guide them from a critical state back to health. Studies show that these interventions can reduce child mortality rates due to malnutrition by up to 90%, highlighting the dire importance of this initiative.

With the proper nutritional support, children who may have faced certain death now hold the promise of recovery and a brighter future.

Although the MOVE4MANA Challenge is focused on university campuses and high schools, its impact resonates worldwide. The challenge educates and engages students on the significant issue of severe acute malnutrition, fostering a sense of global citizenship. Participants are more than just contributors; they become advocates for change, for the future.

Spearheaded by the Food For Famine Society in Langley, BC, this initiative has previously saved nearly 200,000 children across 16 countries in Africa and Asia. This partnership underscores the message that collective efforts, no matter how small, can create meaningful change.

Taking Action Together

The inaugural MOVE4MANA Challenge is an extraordinary initiative that unifies the student communities of six prestigious Canadian universities for a vital purpose: saving lives. By harnessing modern technology and encouraging student participation, it demonstrates how community spirit can drive impactful global change.

As participants prepare for two weeks of activities, they will not only impact their own health through physical activity but also foster hope for children facing malnutrition in Africa and Afghanistan. This challenge beautifully illustrates the power of youth activism and collaboration to tackle some of the world's most pressing problems.

Let's celebrate this remarkable journey of compassion and motivation as students work together to make a difference, one step at a time! Join the MOVE4MANA Challenge and participate in a life-changing experience!

Students are the next generation of thinkers, doers and change makers!

For more details on how to join, connect with your university's World Vision club or explore the MOVE4MANA.ca's website to learn about ongoing efforts and ways to contribute.