Planting the Seeds of Better Nutrition
Aline is a smallholder farmer and mother of four. Her family often faced food shortages, especially during the lean season. Their meals mainly consisted of cassava and maize – foods that filled their stomachs, but don’t offer the protein and vitamins their bodies needed to thrive.
“I had limited knowledge of nutrition, and meals were staple-heavy with little variety,” said Aline.
Things changed when she recently participated in training on climate-smart agriculture and nutrition. The training was offered through the local church in her community in partnership with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries NCM.
There, she learned about agricultural techniques like composting, intercropping and proper crop spacing. She also gained a better understanding of her family’s nutrition needs and considered how she might be able to meet those needs by growing more vegetables to include in their diet.
“Now I can grow vegetables and feed my children better. NCM helped me understand and apply what I learned. I feel stronger and more hopeful for the future,” said Aline.
Although this program has just begun, families like Aline’s are already eating better, earning more, and actively participating in community learning. As they continue to work together, they’ll build long-term resilience, nutrition security, and economic stability in their community.
Burundi Nyanza is led by Nazarene Compassionate Ministries – Burundi