Cabinet of Curosities - Day 12

Today's curio is an iron fish that saves lives. 

Lucky iron fish are used to provide dietary iron to individuals affected by iron-deficiency anaemia. Iron deficiency is the world's largest nutritional challenge and it impacts over 3.5 billion people. The fish are placed in a pot of boiling water with a little acid - vinegar or lemon juice for example - which then leaches iron into the water and food. 

The fish were developed in 2008 by Canadian health workers in Cambodia and, in 2012, a company called The Lucky Iron Fish Project was formed to develop the iron fish on a larger scale, promote them among rural areas, and distribute them to non-governmental organisation partners. 

What I love about this project is that it brings art, cultural beliefs, clever problem solving, behavioural science and helping people in need - all the things I am passionate about - together to create an affordable, effective cure.

I bought three direct from Lucky Iron Fish and two were donated to families that need them. I kept the third so that I can tell people about the project.

Here's the website.