The call was made during the launch of the Community Kitchen Garden Project implemented by the Rotaract Club of KIE where three kitchen gardens at Groupe Scolaire Kimisagara were built on 4th December 2021.
The Executive Administrator of Nyarugenge district Ngabonziza Emmy requested parents and community health workers to remain proactive instead of dealing with effects of malnutrition.
“We have heavy responsibility to consolidate gains and prevent malnutrition or stunting among children. That is why building kitchen gardens is given much attention to feed children with balanced diet. Prevention is better than cure,” he said.
The Community Kitchen Garden Project was sponsored by Rotaract Club of KIE in partnership with the Marriott Hotel Kigali, Africa Improved Foods, DP Singh Associates Ltd, The Zipliner, Galaxy Hotel and implemented in partnership with Kimisagara sector, Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Community Policing in Kimisagara, CMS Cor-Unum.
Rotaract Club of KIE is the oldest among four Rotaract clubs working with seven Rotary Clubs in Rwanda.
Rotary club is an organization purposed to bring together businesses and professionals to provide humanitarian services and providing support in addressing problems facing the world by combating illiteracy and poverty, contributing to the provision of safe water, handling disputes and fighting disease.
It is classified into three categories including Interact Club made of children in the age bracket between 12 and 18, Rotaract Club brings together members from the university and youth in the age between 18 to 30 while people aged beyond 30 are classified in the category of Rotary Club.
Speaking the during the project launch, the President of Rotaract Club of KIE, Félix Mihigo highlighted that the exercise aligns with their mission to combat malnutrition.
“Malnutrition is still an issue of concern. Any interventions designed to prevent it is of critical significance. That is why we have built community kitchen gardens to support the cause,” he said.
Mihigo explained that the main objective of the project is to build 13 kitchen gardens in 13 villages of Katabaro cell, provide seeds and gardening tools for sustainable management of the gardens.
The US Ambassador to Rwanda and member of the Rotary club of Kigali Virunga, Peter Vrooman, also graced the event and acquainted those who were present with various thematic areas of the Rotary international.
Apart from the Kitchen gardens constructed, the club has handed over vegetable seeds, gardening tools for management of kitchen gardens and one ton of enriched porridge flour to the CMS Cor-Unum health Centre to help the children below 5 years old with malnutrition in Kimisagara.
Malnutrition is an issue of concern that needs special attention to be eradicated as the country continues moving forward to implement different programs improving citizens’ wellbeing.
Alphonsine Gakuru, one of parents who participated in the in the event pledged to make possible efforts to improve dietary intake, prevent malnutrition and its effects.
Community health workers who were present during the event also tipped parents on best techniques to prepare balanced diet without spending much money.
During the event, Chelsea FC fans who lent a hand in construction of the gardens also subscribed 180 residents for community based health insurance commonly known as Mutuelle de Santé.
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