Growing Healthy Food & Healthy Children in Ghana

Summary

Combat child malnutrition and support learning in Ghana. Your donation promotes nutrition among new mothers and infants in the first 1,000 days through breastfeeding counseling; education on nutritious weaning foods; support growing those crops; and other interventions to support healthy growth and development. Support farmers, parents and schools to facilitate a school feeding program using locally-grown protein-rich crops so kids start the day nourished and able to focus in the classroom.

Challenge

在加纳,28%的五岁以下儿童的基于“增大化现实”技术e stunted due to chronic malnutrition. For children 2 years old and younger, proper nutrition is crucial for foundational brain and physical development. For school-aged children, chronic hunger can be devastating to learning, yet many children arrive to school on empty stomachs. Protein is critical to children's diets to allow for effective brain development, yet few children have access to the protein they need on a daily basis.

Solution

The GHFGHC program teaches expectant and new mothers about nutritious weaning foods, shows mothers how to produce nutritious foods, and provides nutrition interventions for infants to ensure they get the best start. The School Feeding Program provides children with a nutritious daily porridge so they can be well fed and ready to learn. Parent-Teacher Association members grow and provide the Quality Protein Maize (QPM) for the porridge, fostering community ownership and long-term sustainability.

Long-Term Impact

Our School Feeding Programs supports 600 students enrolled in preschool, kindergarten & 1st grade in rural schools around the Ashanti region. Introducing the program doubles school enrollment, increases daily attendance, and decreases absenteeism. Children are better able to learn and focus on their studies. GHFGHC serves 180 women & their infants, decreasing incidence of stunting. Infants are developing healthier brains and bodies so they can achieve their full potential throughout their lives.