During the third quarter of 2024, SaCoDé took a major step forward in its commitment to the fight against malnutrition by handing over a food donation to the Learning and Nutritional Rehabilitation Home (FARN) on September 10, 2024. The FARN is located on Gihamagara hill, in the commune of Itaba, province of Gitega. At that time, the children attending this FARN belonged to the women members of AVEC BAKENYEZI DUFASHANYE MWISUKU NISUKURA and BAKENYEZU TUBUNGABUNGE AMAGARA YACU, newly created and supervised by SaCoDé.

This support is part of the “Amagara meza” project, which stands for good health, and aims to promote a healthy, balanced diet within communities.

Objectives of the initiative

This initiative served a dual purpose. Firstly, it aimed to help feed the children who benefit from Light Mother's services in this FARN. These children, often in vulnerable situations, require special attention to ensure their physical and intellectual development. By providing them with adequate food, SaCoDé wanted to help improve their health and general well-being.

Secondly, the donation was used to strengthen the culinary skills of the mothers, who play a crucial role in the nutrition of their families. By raising their awareness of the importance of a balanced diet and providing them with the necessary resources (consisting of fretins, groundnut flour and palm oil for each woman present in the FARN), SaCoDé wanted to ensure that these families could maintain healthy eating habits in the long term for their families and especially for their children.

The role of light mother

The “Light Mother” project was launched in Burundi in 2013. Mothers who are first identified within their communities for their good practices in favor of their children's health. Mothers who then undergo training in “essential family practices for child survival”. Mothers who finally become “Light Mother”. They then become the reference point in their village for everything to do with nutrition, hygiene and good childcare practices. On every hill in Burundi, there are two Mamans Lumières.

This approach enables the community to play an active part in a sustainable response to malnutrition. Their role within FARN is essential: they monitor malnourished children by taking anthropometric measurements, identify families' nutritional needs and propose appropriate solutions. This includes training in the preparation of nutritious meals and good hygiene practices.