Over 200 lead mothers in Nakapiripirit district have been trained on how to combat child malnutrition within households. The training was provided by the organizations Food for the Hungry in partnership with ACTED Uganda, in response to the observed lack of diet diversity among families grappling with poverty and high food insecurity.
The lead mothers were selected and organized into different groups, each consisting of twelve members. They underwent training on various topics, including food preparation, pregnancy care, promoting good hygiene, and cultivating biofortified crops. The goal was to equip these mothers with the necessary knowledge and skills to address the issue of malnutrition effectively.
Esther Akol, a lead mother from Karinga village in Nakapiripirit district, shared her experience, stating that they have learned how to prepare nutritious meals for malnourished children and pregnant mothers. They utilize locally available foods, creating porridge recipes that combine nutritionally rich cereals such as millet and maize with groundnut paste, milk, and silverfish.
These ingredients are essential for healthy child growth. Akol mentioned that the participating mothers have also taken the initiative to share their new found knowledge with other caregivers who were not part of the program. This knowledge dissemination aims to reach a wider audience and make a greater impact on the community.
Susan Nagulo, a resident of Moruita village, described her role in screening malnourished children within the community. Armed with a measuring tape, Nagulo visits different households every Tuesday to identify malnourished children. She then refers those identified as positive cases to the village health team for further management.
The training has empowered Nagulo and others like her to improve child health through a child nutrition training program. Judith Hamuliuda, the project coordinator at Food for the Hungry, explained the use of mother care groups as a sustainable approach even after the project ends. As primary caregivers of children under five, mothers play a crucial role in ensuring their proper nutrition and well-being.
The Village Health Teams have been trained to deliver maternal, infant, and young child adoptive nutrition messages to the lead mothers, who then pass on the knowledge to other women in the community. The mother’s groups also conduct home visits to reinforce the messages and share knowledge on growing diverse, nutrient-rich crops to supplement diets.
Anne Chegem, the assistant project manager at ACTED Uganda, highlighted the integration of lead mothers into the lead farmer’s group. This integration allows them to learn how to care for their vegetable crops effectively. The mothers were trained in plant care and organic pesticide production, helping them protect their kitchen gardens from pests that can damage their crops.
Malvern Chikanya, the country director of Food for the Hungry, emphasized the project’s focus on food security, health nutrition, and education to promote household welfare. The training on diet variety, food safety, and vegetable management has resulted in significant improvements in nutrition and health over the past year.
Previously, families relied solely on the crops they cultivated for their meals, which often lacked the necessary diversity to meet dietary needs. By introducing nutrient-rich vegetables alongside staple crops like corn, beneficiaries have learned to improve their overall nutrition.