A World Bank-funded Investing in Early Years Project (IEYP) is set to promote good nutrition practices among community members in Traditional Authority Mwahenga in Rumphi District.
The $60 billion (about K106 trillion) project, which rolled out in 2019, phased out this year after interventions focusing on improving nutrition, early stimulation and earning for children from conception to 59 months in 13 districts in the country.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, a promoter Gerald Ngwira said the project distributed goats, chickens and ducks to parents to encourage livestock farming.
porridge. I Wyson Chiputa Gondwe
She said: “People now have goats, chickens and ducks. They are able to slaughter the chickens or ducks to get protein foodstuffs.
“Ideally, people are encouraged to rear poultry to improve their nutrition. The goats, however, will help people earn an income to buy more food for their families.”
Ngwira said the project also helped women to join village savings and loan groups to grow their income.
“Again, we grow yellow maize to provide porridge for children at Nkhumano Community-Based Child Care Centre.
Rumphi district social welfare assistant Zindawa Lungu said the project is promoting good nutrition practices such as encouraging people to eat six food groups.
“That is why people received chickens and ducks so that they can get proteins. Children are also eating porridge in early childhood development centres,” she said.
In a separate interview, Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare spokesperson Pauline Kaude said the project achieved its goals.
“Age-appropriate feeding and growth monitoring increased from 43 percent to over 65 percent in the 13 districts. Stunting rates showed early signs of decline in some districts,” she said.
Kaude also said enrolment and attendance in early learning centres improved from 45 percent to over 60 percent.
