National News

Communities tout nutrition project

People of  Nkhata Bay have commended GIZ for the Nutrition and Access to Primary Education Project, which seeks to promote nutritious food in primary schools.

Speaking on Friday during food preparation training facilitated by Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mzenga Zone primary school adviser Simon Shawa said initiating nutritious food in schools will motivate children to continue with their education. 

“Feeding children in schools also motivates them to work hard,” he said.

Participants learn how to cook nutritious food

However, Shawa cited transport challenges to reach many communities with lessons on how they can prepare nutritious food for their children in primary schools.

One of the facilitators, Elizabeth Nkhonjera, said the project seeks to improve nutrition of children in primary schools through the feeding programme.

“The problem is that schools do not give children nutritious food; hence, the reason for teaching them how to prepare nutritious food,” she said.

Nkhata Bay District school health and nutrition coordinator Andrews Chulu said children need nutritious food to grow healthy.

“Communities should own the feeding programmes taking place in their schools by taking a leading role in implementation,” he said.

Chulu called for collaboration among stakeholders such as Ministry of Agriculture, Health and traditional leaders.

The project, which is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), is currently benefiting 20 schools out of 196 public primary schools in the district.

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