Stop Malnutrition and Infant Mortality in Cameroon

Following the household food need base assessment questionnaire survey carried out back in September 2017, the RCESD team thought it wise to start the new year with educative talks based on the findings from the survey. Given that households barely afford 3 square meals a day, usually predominantly composed of carbohydrates, there was an urgent need for intervention early this year, 2018.

Forty households were selectively sampled back in November for sensitization on affordable balanced diets for them and their children. Households with children below the ages of 7 were selected for the first part of the sensitization so that malnourished children who are more prone to diseases can have balanced diets early enough. On January 5^th 2018, the team met with the heads of the households in the Bonakanda community, quater heads and sub chiefs to discuss on simple and affordable ways of balancing their meals for adults and kids, having in mind that their food sources are from their farms. Basic sources of proteins like ‘soya beans’, a common and affordable legume in that community was proposed for children below one year. It could be ground and eaten as pap at least once daily. Households were encouraged to include legumes for proteins and vegetables for necessary nutrients in their diets as often as possible. An expert nutritionist went further to give details on the preferable food items for breakfast lunch and supper. At the end of the sensitization meeting, each household was given a free meal planner chart to assist in planning of nutritive balanced diets.

Community members were introduced the next phase of the project which would involve the establishment of a ‘community canteen’ for distribution of food items to community members at subsidized rates. It would also serve as a ready market for purchase of food items from community members.