Children of Hope Initiative Battles Malnutrition in Mulanje, Impacts Lives
The initiative, which has been hailed as a success, is making strides in reducing malnutrition cases and fostering better health practices in the area.
Mulanje, Malawi — In a determined effort to combat malnutrition and promote improved health, the Children of Hope Organisation (COHO), a non-governmental organisation headquartered in Chinakanaka, Mulanje, has undertaken an ambitious programme targeting malnourished children under the age of 6, writes Happy Valirani.
The initiative, which has been hailed as a success, is making strides in reducing malnutrition cases and fostering better health practices in the area.
Implemented across Mataka, Musisi, Shuga, and Manyangala villages, along with surrounding areas under the jurisdiction of Group Village Headman Mmina and Traditional Authority Chikumbu, COHO's programme has garnered support from the Firelight Foundation in the United States of America.
Launched in 2017, the project has already positively impacted over 1000 children aged 0–5, resulting in a significant decline in malnutrition cases within its operational zone.
Kenneth Mumma, Executive Director of COHO, expressed his satisfaction with the program's progress, emphasising its marked influence on the well-being of children in the region.
"Our primary focus lies in nurturing children below the age of 6, encompassing five crucial thematic areas: child nutrition, health, security, responsible caregiving, and early learning," disclosed Mumma in an exclusive interview with this publication.
The organization's multifaceted approach includes the provision of essential resources to parents of malnourished children.
Nutrient-rich Likuni phala, poultry, and livestock, including chickens and pigs, are provided to supplement protein intake through meat and eggs.
Additionally, cooking demonstrations are held, and mothers are equipped with maize and soybean seeds along with fertiliser to enhance crop yield.
This strategy proves particularly vital for families lacking the resources to purchase fertiliser.
Furthermore, COHO empowers mothers through income-generation training in animal husbandry and crop production.
By nurturing entrepreneurial skills, mothers can cultivate businesses and generate income to support their families, ensuring access to nutritious sustenance for their children.
Emily Malulu, a mother benefiting from COHO's intervention, conveyed her contentment with the program's impact.
"We are elated and deeply grateful for the nutritional initiative. Before COHO's intervention, many children, especially those under 5, were afflicted by malnutrition and stunted growth," shared Malulu.
Echoing her sentiments, Esnart Grasten spoke of the program's transformative effects, remarking on its role in elevating their quality of life.
"Our children now partake in balanced and nutritious meals, making malnutrition a relic of the past. In addition, we receive farming inputs that aid us in enhancing yields and altering our livelihoods," Grasten attested.
Foster Majawa of Shuga village, under Group Village Headman Mmina, highlighted the organization's impact on fathers' roles in child development.
Majawa elucidated, "As husbands, we have been trained to support our wives during pregnancy to ensure they consume balanced diets, fostering healthy childbirths. This commitment extends to proper child feeding practises, ensuring optimal growth."
COHO's endeavours transcend nutritional interventions, encompassing early childhood education known as "mmera mpoyamba."
A Community-Based Child Care Centre (CBCC) stands as a testament to their dedication, already operational in Manyangala village, with several more centres underway.
However, financial constraints pose a challenge to COHO's mission, impacting project progression.
Despite external funding, the organisation employs a community-driven model, leveraging locally-sourced resources, which occasionally contributes to project delays.
Kenneth Mumma expressed the organization's plans, outlining their intention to expand operations district-wide.
To address malnutrition comprehensively, COHO seeks to enhance the overall health and well-being of the community.