Feeding 190 stunted children with a balanced diet

Stunting remains a major public health concern in Rwanda, particularly in rural communities where poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to health and nutrition education persist. In response, this project was developed to provide targeted nutritional support to 190 stunted children in two sectors of the Eastern Province. The intervention includes the provision of balanced meals, support for sustainable household-level egg production, and community-based nutrition education.

Despite the project's urgency and potential impact, progress has stalled due to insufficient funding.

This report outlines the rationale, objectives, and preparatory work completed so far, and issues a heartfelt appeal for financial support from donors and well-wishers to help combat chronic malnutrition and secure a healthier future for these children.

Project Background and Rationale

Stunting, a condition caused by chronic undernutrition during the most critical periods of growth, affects nearly one-third of children in Rwanda, especially in rural areas. It severely impairs both physical growth and cognitive development, and its effects are largely irreversible after the age of two.

Children suffering from stunting are less likely to perform well in school and are at greater risk of health complications later in life. The underlying causes include:

• Inadequate dietary intake
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Recurring infections
• poor hygiene and feeding practices

To address this, our project proposes a multifaceted approach that addresses immediate nutritional needs, builds household resilience, and promotes long-term behavioral change.

Project Objectives

• To provide daily balanced meals to 190 stunted children over six months
• To equip 190 households with egg-producing chickens as a sustainable protein source
• To offer nutrition education and awareness to caregivers and community members
• To reduce the long-term prevalence of stunting in the target communities

Activities Planned

1. Nutritional Support

• Deliver nutritious meals to each child daily, focusing on protein-rich, vitamin- and mineral-dense foods.

2. Household Livelihood Support

• Distribute egg-laying hens and provide basic poultry training to families.

3. Nutrition Education

• Conduct community workshops on child feeding practices, hygiene, and food preparation.

4. Monitoring & Evaluation

• Track children's growth and health improvements monthly using anthropometric tools.

Achievements and Preparatory Work 

Though full implementation is pending, we have completed several critical steps:

• Identified and registered 190 children with verified stunting
• Conducted baseline assessments in collaboration with local health centers
• Engaged local leaders and health workers for partnership and mobilization
• Developed meal plans and poultry management training materials

Current Challenges

The major impediment remains inadequate funding, which has prevented:

• Procurement of food supplies and livestock
• Hiring of nutritionists and field workers
• Execution of training and education sessions 
• Ongoing monitoring and follow-up with beneficiaries

This delay threatens the well-being of the targeted children, who continue to suffer from the effects of chronic malnutrition.

Call to Action

We urgently appeal to donors, partners, and kind-hearted individuals to support this noble initiative. Your support can directly nourish children in need, restore hope to struggling families, and break the vicious cycle of malnutrition in some of Rwanda's most vulnerable communities.

We invite contributions of all kinds - financial support, in-kind donations, or technical expertise.