According to the latest Rwanda Demographic and Health survey, the chronic stunting and malnutrition are mostly in the poorest households in the rural areas, the reason of Rwanda to investing in Early Years for optimum human capital development for it is one of the pillars of human capital and sustainable development.
Genevieve MUHONGAYIRE, a nutritionist from NGERA health center in Nyaruguru district said stunting not only affect the physical appearance of the victim but also mental, and emotional development of a human, a hindrance to his future productivity, a loss to the large family and the nation.
To curb the stunting and malnutrition among children of Ngera sector, the nutritionist told www.purenews.rw that they putted in place several innovative ways such as “the egg of a child”; a regular egg strategy to harm malnutrition as a way to fight stunting.
“Since the Stunting Prevention and Reduction Project (SPRP) started here in 2017, we were having 24 stunted children and 15 malnourished ones but due to the egg and “shisha kibondo” strategy that we give to the vulnerable, we only left with 5 stunted and 1 malnourished child and we soon expect them to get healthy too.” She stated.
This is in line with the project known as Stunting Prevention and Reduction Project (SPRP) that operates in Nyaruguru District in partnership with the government of Rwanda and those who benefit from it are kowtowing for it to have positively changed the life of their children.
MUKARWEGO Janvière is one of mothers enrolled among those who receive the “shisha kibondo” flour. In her testimony, she was unhealthy in her early pregnancy times. She were vomiting any time she eat anything but when they gave her the fortified flour known as SHISHA KIBONDO, she recovered with no delay. She was introduced to shisha kibondo when she conceived her second baby who is now 16 months.
Her child is still receiving the fortified porridge flour and according to her, the child is healthier than his elder who born before the government intervened with this program.
“There is no enough way I can thank our leaders, may only God provide for them. I Simply wish may shisha kibondo never miss because it keeps us and our children healthier. My child and I are energetic and well because of the porridge”. she emphasized.
In Munini sector, there is also a modern ECD that accommodates 90 children. 42 are boys and 48 girls and all of them are apparently happy and healthy due to the way they are treated.
“In this ECD, teachers educate our children but also feed them with nutritious meal full of vitamins and minerals. They give them eggs and fruits which I couldn’t afford at my home. Before I used to wake-up in early morning and go with my little children in the shamba to cultivate but now I bring them here every morning before I go for my labor. Explained IKUZE Marie Anne, one of mothers whom their children are being cared in Munini ECD.
Well-nourished children are better able to grow, learn, play and positively contribute in their communities. They are also more resilient in the face of crisis. Yet, today, 33% Rwandan Children are still stunted, due to not getting the nutrition they need to survive and thrive.
The Government of Rwanda is fierce against the roots causes of stunting and malnutrition, a hard operation that will be achieved through the early childhood development (ECD) among other strategies.
“In the past five years, due to “shisha kibondo” malnutrition decreased from 41% to 39% in our District” sais Janvier NSABUMUREMYI, the coordinator of ECDs in Nyaruguru District.
Statistics show that Stunting declined from 38 to 33% countrywide now and Rwanda is determined to decrease it to 19 per cent by 2024.
