Breaking boundaries to boost child health

In the area of Group Village Head Mchacha, Traditional Authority (TA) Malemia in Nsanje, women confront popular traditions and habits where the best parts of any meal, especially chicken, are reserved for the man of the house.

Nowadays, the tastiest and most juicy parts, such as the breast, drumstick and gizzards, are set aside for children while men receive less preferred parts like chicken feet.

“We are being encouraged by health experts to reserve the best portions of any meal for our children while the grown men can have the less desirable parts,” says Mary Kandiado, a mother of three.

She is tending her backyard garden, removing weeds while holding her youngest baby, who is just a few months old.

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After working in the garden, Kandiado will look after her three goats, which are still in the kraal, even though it is afternoon.

“I keep them in the kraal and feed them there because whenever I open the kraal, they run straight into the garden and eat my vegetables,” she explains.

The kraal is raised off the ground, allowing the droppings from the goats to fall below, where Kandiado can collect them for use as manure for her garden.

Traditionally in Malawi, men would receive the best parts of every meal, which often left women and children with less nutritious food.

In some cases, the man would be served first, with his wife and children scrambling for the leftovers.

Kandiado clarifies that this shift in tradition is not intended to disrespect men, who are typically the primary breadwinners.

“We want to defeat malnutrition in our children and ensure they grow strong and become responsible adults,” she says.

Although her household is now a model of good practice, Kandiado has previously struggled with malnutrition and diarrhoea in her children.

“In the past, we didn’t have pit latrines, backyard gardens or livestock. Now, we use locally available resources to make nutritious meals for our families,” she explains.

Outside her elevated pit latrine is a water bottle supported by a stick. When pushed, the water flows out for handwashing with soap after using the facility.

At the village square, women sing a song with a clear message: “Susamala mwanayo, koma adadi, eeh aye, zako izo” (you don’t take good care of your child but your husband, it’s up to you).

“This song encourages women to ensure their children are well cared for, even as they look after their husbands,” says Jenipher Kaliati, a health promoter in the area.

Kaliati notes that initiatives like backyard gardens and livestock have reduced cases of malnutrition in the area.

“We conduct surveys every two weeks, and I can assure you that we haven’t recorded any case of malnutrition since these initiatives began,” she says.

The progress in the area can be attributed to the involvement of community leaders.

Village Head Mchacha enforces strict principles and bylaws.

“I have established clear bylaws and penalties for those who break them. That is why every household in my area has hygiene and sanitation facilities. If there is a cholera outbreak in Nsanje, not a single case has been reported in my area,” Mchacha states.

In Masinde 2 Village in TA Chigalu in Blantyre District, women are participating in a community-led complementary feeding and learning session.

This two-week session targets children identified as malnourished based on the Mid Upper Arm Circumference (Muac) tape, which helps detect malnutrition in children and pregnant women.

Over the next weeks, these children will receive extensive, nutritious meals prepared by the women as a group.

Among the participants is 31-year-old mother of three, Mwai Nalitsiro. Nalitsiro, who owns a backyard garden and livestock. She says through the sessions, she has learnt how to cook nutritious meals for her family.

“My garden provides vegetables rich in vitamin A, while my livestock supplies proteins. I have seen a noticeable improvement in my children’s health and happiness,” she says.

In 2021, Germany’s KfW, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Malawi Government launched a programme to tackle malnutrition in rural areas.

They are collaborating with the Hunger Project in Nsanje and Phalombe and the Farmers Union of Malawi (Fum) in Blantyre. This programme has helped rural households afford nutritious food amid severe hunger conditions.

Fum Nutritional Facilitator Victor Kanjuchi says the project has promoted good cooking and eating habits as well as proper hygiene and sanitation practices.

“Every home in this area now has a backyard garden, livestock and knowledge on preparing nutritious meals from locally available resources,” Kanjuchi notes.

Agricultural Extension Development Coordinator Precious Kalua agrees, stating that the programme has eradicated malnutrition in the targeted areas.

“Families are decorating their homes with pictures and messages that promote good eating and sanitation practices. As a result, even passersby are influenced to adopt these practices,” Kalua says.