As a social worker for APROJUMAP (Association pour la PROmotion des JUMelages et de l'Amitié entre les Peuples), I work with vulnerable families in the district of Huye, Rwanda. I have noticed that there is a problem of malnutrition.
Malnutrition comes in the form of Kwashiorkor, characterized by the presence of swelling all over the body, and marasmus, characterized by extreme thinness, especially among children under the age of 5.
Some parents of poor families in rural areas fail to provide sufficient food for their children.
To ensure recovery, awareness campaigns and demonstrations are conducted on how to prepare a balanced diet are conducted.
Protein-rich foods are beans, soybeans, meat and small fish.
For energetic foods, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, corn, oil and others are prepared.
For nutrient protection, we use fruits such as avocados, bananas and mangoes, and vegetables like amaranths, carrots, cabbage, peppers, tomatoes and eggplants.
To combat malnutrition, we help establish vegetable gardens so that families can permanently harvest their own vegetables. Fruit trees such as avocado, maracuja and Japanese plum are planted. Goats and rabbits are also kept.
With these interventions, economic, social and health changes are taking place.