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Community members in Gakenke and Nyabihu districts are embracing new dietary practices following an enlightening campaign led by FXB Rwanda and partners through the KUNGAHARA Food Security Strengthening Technical and Recovery Intervention for Growth (FOSTERING) project, aimed at enhancing food production through sustainable agriculture.

The quarterly campaign focuses on imparting essential nutrition knowledge to community members ; supporting them to gain valuable insights into nutrition, emphasizing the importance of locally sourced food for balanced diets to eradicate malnutrition.

Through kitchen demonstrations conducted during the campaign, the participants learned how to make a proper diverse food choice and acquired cooking techniques that maximize the nutritional value of locally available ingredients. Uwamahirwe, FOSTERING participant as a parent, expressed newfound awareness. “Previously, we relied heavily on sweet potatoes when preparing our meal, but now I understand the value of incorporating bananas, maize, and eggs to ensure my children receive necessary vitamins and minerals for their improved growth.”

Ngendahimana from the KUNDUMURIMO cooperative in Karambo Sector, Gakenke district, highlighted the cooperative’s commitment to improving nutritional practices, “The project has equipped us with knowledge on balanced diets. We are now prioritizing our families’ nutrition alongside market sales of our crops, aiming to eradicate malnutrition within our community.”

Eric Mwiseneza, the Executive Secretary of Karambo sector Gakenke district echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the campaign’s role in transforming community attitudes towards nutrition. “This partnership with FXB Rwanda under the FOSTERING project is pivotal. We are grateful for the support enabling us to drive sustainable change and ensure a healthier future for all.”

Since the starting point of FOSTERING project in October 2023, FXB Rwanda and its partners have conducted three (3) quarterly nutrition campaigns in each Gakenke and Nyabihu districts focusing on kitchen demonstrations, education, and provision of nutritious animal-based products to partner cooperatives’ members to contribute to their understanding of nutrition skills and promote healthy eating habits for all, hence eradicating malnutrition.

Animal-based products to campaign participants for balanced diet and fight against malnutrition

According to FOSTERING project Baseline Survey Report, in Gakenke, only 30.0% of children achieve minimum dietary diversity ; in Nyabihu, this percentage was slightly lower at 23.8%. The DHS 2019-2020 published in 2022, indicated that 39.0% of Gakenke district children under two years of age are stunted, while in Nyabihu, this percentage was 47.0%.

Improved dietary practices among community members, with greater incorporation of nutrient-rich foods, is a nutrition campaign-specific objective that seeks to address malnutrition and food insecurity in both Gakenke and Nyabihu districts. FXB Rwanda and E4IMPACT Foundation (FOSTERING project implementing partners) commend the support of the European Union Delegation in tackling food insecurity-related issues and implore great collaboration of other partners in this area of intervention.

DISCLAIMER : This publication was co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of FXB Rwanda and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.