In Haiti, Akamil is more than just food; it’s a critical part of the fight against malnutrition. This nutritious porridge is made from a blend of locally grown grains—typically a mix of corn, millet, and beans. These ingredients are ground into a fine powder and then cooked to create a porridge that is both easy to digest and packed with essential nutrients.

The preparation of Akamil is straightforward yet vital. The grains are carefully selected, cleaned, and then ground together. Then they are measured and mixed together. The resulting flour is cooked with water to make a smooth, thick porridge. Often, it’s enriched with added vitamins and minerals to ensure it meets the nutritional needs of those who consume it, especially children who are recovering from malnutrition.

In Haiti, Akamil is widely used in healthcare settings to nourish children who are underweight. Before we had medika mamba this is what we used to treat all the children with malnutrition. Now we use it for all the children that are moderately malnourished. Its simplicity makes it accessible for families, while its nutritional content makes it an effective tool in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. We cook it each day for the children. It can be make sweet or salty. We also give pre measured packets out in the clinic for the children.