Bahoneza – Kinyarwanda, Rwanda Welfare, Social Welfare, Rwanda People, Nutrition and Diet, Rwanda Habitat, Living in Kigali

To maintain hygiene and eat balanced foods, a program to promote health sector was established and measures to prevent malnutrition and poor hygiene related diseases were taken.

Residents have been sensitized to have kitchen gardens and health officials were trained to better protect the lives of residents.

Agakono k’umudugudu program promotes healthy eating in families

A school “agakono k’umudugudu” throughout 473 sectors of Nyabihu was set up where parents learn how to prepare balanced diet, explains Pierre Dusenge in charge of health in Nyabihu district.

Dusenge reveals that 316 kitchen gardens were made to help parents get fresh vegetables rich in vitamins to prepare balanced foods and fight malnutrition.

On children development program, children in 12 sectors of the district are weighed to record the weight and their physical growth is monitored by 1792 community health workers, Dusenge denotes

Pierre Dusenge adds that Directors of health centre and Nyabihu district administration signed performance contracts to care about the health of the residents and to do their work efficiently.

While many residents have been making kitchen gardens out of polythene papers, some have advanced methods of using bricks and cement to make good looking and durable gardens.

Emmanuel Kaburame, a resident of Mubuga cell, Musaza sector says that akarima k’igikoni is very important to residents but sometimes they get destroyed because of poor quality materials used.

Emmanuel Kaburame, who used bricks, sand and cement, asserts that his kitchen garden is like a decorative piece with different vegetable types in his home.

The most common vegetables grown in akarima k’igikoni are cabbages, greens, carrots among others.

Using bricks is beneficial in a way that bricks keep the soil cold for the better growth of the vegetables unlike using stones that keep warmth, which makes them dry if it shines.

Akarima k’igikoni became a necessity of every home because it helps in fighting malnutrition.

Kirehe District based Club namely “Tuseme club” has fought against poor eating habits in Gasarambwayi cell in Musaza sector through kitchen gardens for the residents and making people understand the importance of these gardens.

Vincent de Paul the executive secretary of Gasarambwayi cell said that now people understand the importance of the garden kitchen and thanks to Tuseme club which sensitized people about them and built for those who didn’t have them.

He went on to say that with the help of health advisors, Tuseme club taught people on how to make a nutritious meal in a way of fighting poor eating habits in this cell.

Vincent de Paul said that there were about 23 children who were suffering from malnutrition but because of Tuseme club and health advisors who taught people on how to prepare well a meal, these children are well and there is no more malnutrition in this cell.

He said that they have goats which are milked for these children so as to feed them well. The district gave financial support to Tuseme club with Rwf500, 000 so as to continue fighting against poor eating habits in Musaza sector.

As a way of fighting malnourishment, every home in Bugesera district has been encouraged to have a kitchen garden (akarima k’igikoni) so that vegetables are eaten often.

Having akarima k’igikoni does not require one to have a big space because of the way it can be made to fit on a small area.

Kitchen garden (Akarima k’igikoni)

Goretti Nyiramana, community health worker of Rwaniro cell in Gashoro sector asserts that a kitchen garden is a must have for every home because it’s the easiest way of fighting malnutrition.

“Akarima k’igikoni is the simplest way of growing vegetables without a big area and expensive materials. You can use old basins, buckets and others can be used to grow carrots, onions and cabbages,” says Goretti Nyiramana.

Jeanne Mukandayisenga, a nutritionist at ADEPR Nyamata Hospital encourages parents to care for their children and prevent malnutrition.

“It’s not necessary to buy vegetables when there is an easy way of having your garden,” adds Mukandayisenga.

Mukandayisenga elaborates that what makes the whole process simple and affordable is the fact that vegetables can be grown as flowers in flower pots or vases and look like decorations when catered for.

In order to fight malnutrition in Bugesera, a team of people was chosen for making kitchen gardens in every home and giving them seeds to grow.

“Ababyeyi b’urumuri” health workers have been praised for their role in fighting malnutrition in Nyamasheke district, during the recent celebrated International women’s day.

The association is made of trainees on balanced foods preparations who are to go and sensitize other parents on the same.

Esperance Mwiza (Member of Parliament), who was the guest of honor at the function, encouraged “ababyeyi b’urumuri” to continue with sensitization because malnutrition affects a child’s physical and mental growth.

District mayor, Jean Baptiste Habyarimana reminded parents to work according to their plan that no child should be malnourished in August 2012.

He said that “uturima tw’igikoni” (kitchen gardens) is one way of fighting malnutrition and advised them to have these kitchen gardens in their homes.

“Let’s fight malnutrition in our district and in Rwanda in general. Let every home have a kitchen garden, this will help fight malnutrition,” adds Habyarimana.

Consolée Nyirantezimana, urumuri parent who was teaching parents of malnourished children told them that balanced diet does not require expensive food stuffs but what residents grow like vegetables.

Abatuye akarere ka Rulindo, baravuga ko nta kibazo cy’ imirire mibi kizaba kikiharangwa mu kwezi kwa gatanu, bitewe na gahunda zitandukanye zirimo akarima k’ igikoni ndetse n’ igikoni cy’ umudugudu.

Ibi bikaba byatangarijwe  Minisitiri muri perezidansi, Venantie Tugireyezu tariki 29/02/2012, ubwo yasuraga umurenge wa Buyoga, akarere ka Rulindo, kugirango arebe aho bageze mu kurwanya imirire mibi.

Nyuma yo gusura ibikorwa bitandukanye birimo igikoni cy’ umudugudu wa Butare, yashimye gahunda y’ igikoni cy’ umudugudu, aho abana batekerwa hamwe indyo yuzuye bakagaburirwa ndetse bakanahabwa  amata.

Abayobozi n’ abaturarage b’ akarere ka Rulindo bijeje minisitiri Tugireyezu ko mu kwezi kwa gatanu nta kibazo cy’ imirire mibi kizaba kikirangwa muri Rulindo, kuko bagiye kongera ingufu mu gikoni cy’ umudugudu.

Ministiri Tugireyezu kandi yasabye abanyarulindo kuboneza urubyaro, ndetse no kujyana abana mu mashuri, kuko byagaragaye ko benshi mu bana babyarira iwawo, ari abahagaritse amashuri yabo.