This project will support over 6,000 women and children in rural Sierra Leone to improve their health and nutrition. In addition to sharing information about nutrition, we will support mums in learning about raising livestock, setting up community gardens to grow their own food, and by giving cooking demonstrations to parents in their villages. We will support community health workers to raise awareness around health and nutrition, as well as provide equipment and supplies to health clinics.
One of the biggest challenges mums face in rural Sierra Leone is accessing a balanced and nutritious diet to give their babies and young children the best start in life. Knowing what to feed your child or yourself can be difficult if you haven't been given the information and support you need. Over 30% of children aged between 6 months and 5 years experience malnutrition from lack of nutritious food, and over 5% of pregnant and breastfeeding women have malnutrition from not having enough food.
We will train, support and equip community health workers and health clinics in rural Sierra Leone to access remote communities, and provide mums and families with the nutritional information and support they need to give children the best start in life. They will identify and treat malnourished children and pregnant women. They will help local communities take advantage of nutritious locally grown food, through community vegetable gardens and providing breeding pairs of livestock.
Developing the capacity of local communities to address health issues will better equip them to improve maternal and child health and nutrition well beyond this project. Education and support on healthy diets for children and families will continue to be provided in rural Sierra Leone through community health workers and health clinics. Community groups established during the project will continue to provide practical support and spread vital knowledge around health and nutrition.
