INTERFACE collaborated with Food For Thought, an international not-for-profit organisation, registered in Belgium in 2016 whose aim is to contribute to efforts in preventing stunting in Ugandan children. Recent studies show that one in every three children under five years in Uganda is stunted. Stunting impairs children’s physical growth and mental development; they have a weak immune system and are more susceptible to infections, such as diarrhoea, malaria, pneumonia and measles. INTERFACE believes that largely out of ignorance, some cultural beliefs and practices contribute to stunting in children, for instance in some contexts, emphasis is put on how much food the child eats as opposed to the nutritional quality of the food. In addition; cultural practices around food tend to be stuck on the provision of staple foods that may be limited with regard to their nutritional quality.
INTERFACE as an organization that provides space to interrogate issues around Religion, Faith, and Culture in public life thus collaborated with ‘Food For Thought’ to provide such a space for the most affected areas.
This was done through a pilot workshop on _Combating Stunting in Uganda_, at the scenic Kaazi Beach Hotel from 5th to 8th February 2020. The workshop brought together 30 primary school learners and eleven teachers from 6 schools in Kigezi and Tooro-Rwenzori sub-regions, which have the highest stunting levels in Uganda (with over 40% of children under 5 years stunted).
The workshop focused on:
- Stunting, it’s causes, effects and the way to mitigate it.
- The relationship between Food and healthy growth.
- Planting nutritious foods and vegetables, in a sustainable manner – especially in School Gardens.
- Cooking that ensures maximising retention of nutrients in the food.
INTERFACE’s role in the training included; Participating in the planning and review meetings; developing the concept note; mobilizing the learners and teachers through the local leaders on the ground as well as participating in the activities during the workshop. Interface also participated in the evaluation and implementation session at the end of each workshop day
At the end of the workshop each learner was given a certificate of attendance and encouraged to pass on what they had learnt or train those in their homes. Since then, there have been fruitful results already. Students and teachers have planted some of the foods in the ways taught, on returning to their homes and schools.
