Everybody I know who’s ever been to Ecuador has come home with a most unwelcome souvenir: parasites. It’s a common problem in South America, where the physical and mental development of millions of South American kids is stunted by all kinds of insidious internal parasites: pinworms, roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and hookworms.

“Parasitic illnesses are currently among the top 10 causes of death among children under five,” according to the Christian Post, which notes that “a single pill, however, can make a difference.”

So, with the help of the World Health Organization (WHO) and others, Operation Blessing International (OBI), one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the U.S., is launching a program to distribute Albendazol, a cheap, effective drug that treats and prevents parasitic illnesses. OBI President Bill Horan announced the program’s inauguration in Honduras earlier this month:

“We are so excited about how our anti-parasite program is expanding, and what a profound impact it has on entire developing countries”It’s hard to believe that a single pill costing less than a nickel can completely change and brighten the life of a child”This program can elevate the health and life style of entire countries.

It’s clear that healthy, energetic kids have a much better chance of breaking the cycle of poverty than kids that are sick all the time. OBI will continue to aggressively expand this program into as many countries as possible.”

Learn more about Operation Blessing International’s mission here.