Thanks to your help we are finally able to complete the feeding programme in Kupela Burkina Faso. In this way we have been able to secure the nutrition of many women and children!
Background to the project:
Koupela which lies in the Kourittenga province (central-east of Ougadougou) has 283,670.00 inhabitants (2003). 167 out of 1000 children die before they reach five years of age. The reasons for this are above all nutrition. 20 percent of women are also malnourished. Vitamin A, Iodine and iron deficiencies have a negative effect on the health of pregnant women and children. For example, more than half of the women suffer from anaemia, amongst pregnant women it is almost 70 percent. Over 90 percent of children under five are affected by this.
Aims:
The aim is to combat the high child mortality and malnutrition of women and children in Kouepla. The feeling of togetherness within the community should be strengthened and the awareness of the shared responsibility of all villagers should be supported and encouraged.
Measures:
The following activities were carried out to ensure a healthy diet. In total about 150000 mothers and children will profit from the measures.
Garden:
Two community gardens were created in each of the 24 villages – a school garden and a garden for the women. Teaching personnel and parents look after the school garden and prepare the fruit and vegetables for the school meals. The responsible people also support the women’s group when building the garden and helping them sell their crops. The profits are paid onto a savings account for the women’s group. Teaching personnel, the community leaders and the representatives of the women’s group are trained in nutrition, so that this knowledge can be passed on to the other village members. An increase in the intake of vitamin and mineral nutrients from their own garden is encouraged. Information about gardening and agriculture farming should also be provided. The women’s group is responsible for the village garden. They also learn new questions about the garden and the profits made from their crops. The profits are paid on to the savings account of the women’s group, so that bigger purchases can be financed by the community.
Dietary supplements, Deworming cures:
During the school year the girls and boys receive dietary supplements. Deworming cures are also carried out. Information seminars are held to explain to the community members the importance of salt containing iodine for their health. The school kitchen also receives salt containing iodine.
Inspection and evaluation of the development of the project:
The project was overseen by chosen village members and during the running of the project these member will regularly meet to document the development of the project and send the reports to Plan International. Plan International regularly carries out controls; to be sure that the money is being invested into what was agreed upon. Children under five and women, during and after the pregnancy, continually have their bloods taken and tested to ensure the values are improving due to the relief project.