More than 80% of children in rural community are malnourished. Inadequate diet supplement, education and livelihood support options are some of the main challenges in providing balance diet to children. The project will support about 1500 children in Buea sub division, Cameroon suffering from malnutrition by training and supporting 500 women on how to ensure nutritive diets for children well-being.
Malnutrition is a threat to children and pregnant women worldwide (UNICEF 2016). In the Manyu division in Cameroon, more than 80% of pregnant women and children are malnourished. Malnutrition accounted for high infant mortality rate and related health issues. Our field study revealed that more than 95% of local food is composed of starch. Malnutrition in our project area is limited by awareness, entrepreneurship skills and knowledge on home gardening as a means to sustain protein-rich food.
The project primary target is 60 women, reaching 60 households and 180 children. Home gardening training will be given through workshops and will focus on vegetables and legumes crops and on poultry and piggery farming. Education on healthy diet compositions will be given through seminars and entrepreneurship training in food processing, preservation will be given through workshops.
The project will contribute to reduce malnutrition across 10 communities in the project area by at least 10%. It will ensure long term food security and improve the health situation of about 180 children and about 360 secondary beneficiaries. Entrepreneurship skills obtained will increase household income and thus standard of living. The local communal nature of the beneficiary communities will ensure the replication effect of the project and women beyond the primary circle to also benefit.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
