NUTRITION & AGRICULTURE

Nutrition and agriculture are two intertwined pillars that play a pivotal role in promoting the holistic well-being of girls and women.
At Sympathy Africa, the integration of nutrition and agriculture programs offers a unique opportunity to address multifaceted challenges faced by the girl child in underserved communities.
Girls and women are at the heart of communities, but they often bear the brunt of malnutrition and food insecurity, therefore, Sympathy Africa in partnership with Nutriworth international recognize and give priority to malnutrition in children.
To achieve this, we provide education and resources to mothers, teaching them about the importance of proper nutrition and how to make healthy food choices for themselves and their babies. We also distribute food and supplements to ensure that mothers and babies have access to the nutrients they need.
Nutrition is a critical issue in Uganda, as the country faces high rates of malnutrition and associated health problems, particularly among women and children. Poor nutrition can lead to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and increased vulnerability to disease. In fact, malnutrition is a leading cause of child mortality in Uganda.

Objectives

1. To reduce the prevalence of malnutrition among under-fives, pregnant and lactating mothers, and other vulnerable groups
2. To reduce the prevalence of infectious diseases among the vulnerable groups
3. To improve the nutritional status of vulnerable groups during the management of infectious diseases.
4. Many children’s health has improved as there is an improvement in the consumption of right foods, encouraging all meals and on time.
5. Through lessons on crop breeding a balanced diet is eradicating diseases like marasmus and kwashiorkor.
6. Children are of normal weight as the consumption of foods with calories has been advocated for and implemented.
7. Parents through the educative pal cards, counselling and the state of stunting children is moderate.
8. Sympathy Africa in partnership with Vitamin Angels vitamins, periodic deworming supplements have been provided to boost the newborn babies and children.
9. Spacing of the children lessons during antennal has spear headed the end of stunting, wasting underweight in children.
10. Women have been facilitated with skills on commercial farming to help reduce poverty resulting into malnutrition.
11. Counselling and encouraging men involvement during antennal services has reduced men and women conflict that result into malnutrition in children due to negligence of the conflicting parties thence improved health.
12. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life of a child has boosted nutrition in child resulting to limited malnutrition cases.

Activities

1. Distribution of fortified food to undernourished children of ages 1-5 years of age and the elderly
2. Distribution of micronutrient powders to children of 6-11 months
3. Elaboration and dissemination of educational and visibility materials to promote healthy eating habits in the assisted vulnerable groups
4. Implementation of a communication strategy aimed to change behavior and promote healthy eating habits.

Expected Outcomes

1. Anemia prevalence rate among children under five is progressively reduced.
2. Access to and consumption of a more nutritious diet, tailored to the age characteristic, is increased.
3. The knowledge of beneficiaries and their family on healthy diet, nutrition and anemia prevention is increased.
4. An appealing and effective communication strategy-aimed to change behaviors that affect malnutrition-is implemented.