Short description
“Zero Hidden Hunger” utilizes sensitization and micro loans to allow women a self-sustained life e.g. by developing urban gardening.
Which problem do I/we aim to solve ? and why?
Hidden Hunger. The aim is to solve micronutrient deficiency: According to the Ottawa charter access to proper food and nutrition is one of the determinants of health. According to the world health organization and the food and agriculture organization of the united nations, it is approximated that 1 in every 3 of the world’s population suffers from hidden hunger. Solving this problem would contribute to the UN’s goal number 2 which includes ending all forms of malnutrition and hunger.
Our/My idea for a solution
Conduct community needs assessment (community’s nutritional opinions, needs, challenges); then educate and sensitize mothers and encourage them to make nutrition committees to educate other women on how to make the most out of locally grown foods; then empower them by distributing micro nutrient packs to mothers for kids and supplying them with micro loans for making urban gardens to provide them with local nutritious foods; then evaluate and monitor from time to time.
Why is my/our solution an innovative idea and tackles the challenge from a new perspective
It is not one sided, involves active participation from mothers, health workers, and the community at large. Empowers the community hence promoting sustainability. This idea can also help draw on existing man power and material resources in the community and strengthens public participation.
How is my/our idea feasible?
The idea is multi sector and man power input is manageable. Use of local resources available to help meet community nutritional needs, opportunities for the project and challenges to our idea will be identified through community needs assessments. Involvement of the community in the project and starting up urban gardens can encourage long-term sustainability of the project by the community.
Which methods and channels do I/we want to utilise?
Awareness through radio campaigns, facebook pages, posters, focus groups for mothers, involving other organizations sharing the same vision, involving community health workers (nurses, clinical officers, etc).
What’s my/our expected outcome and improvement?
Stop hidden hunger by giving the community more knowledge and control over its own health and nutritional status and increase the number of self-help projects in the community. Multi sector collaboration on nutrition and involvement of every ministry and sector in nutritional and health issues is expected thereby improving the general health status of the population.
What's my/our budget and which partners I/we would expect to be valuable
120000 euros is needed for the whole budget. There are 10 provinces in Zambia; 12000 for each province to carry out assess and educate, start up urban gardens in districts and distribute multi nutritional packs. Partners will include Ministry of Health, UNICEF, Churches Health Association of Zambia and FAWEZA.
Team: | Bernard Mukuka, Mwansa Chilomo and Alinani Sikombe |