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Short description
Together with Lichtstrahl Uganda e.V. we want to fight “Hidden Hunger” in a children’s crisis house in Gulu. We are developing a bone-based millet porridge that contains essential nutrients that are not consumed enough by children.
The problem we aim to solve
Our local nutrition survey conducted in autumn 2017 showed that children do not absorb enough iron, zinc, niacin, calcium, vitamin B12 and vitamin C through their diet.
If these nutrients are not supplied in sufficient quantities, various deficiency symptoms can occur. For this reason we develop a porridge that contains exactly these nutrients to prevent “hidden hunger”.
Our solution
On the basis of millet and bone stock, which is produced by boiling bovine bones, we develop a porridge that contains the optimum ratio of minerals, vitamins and trace elements. Millet contains iron, zinc and niacin. The bone fund also controls calcium and vitamin B12. In addition, peanuts, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds are roasted and added to the porridge. These seeds all contain niacin, calcium, iron and zinc. White cabbage, for example, could be used as a source of vitamin C.
This porridge is intended to permanently prevent malnutrition by supplying the required micronutrients. The recipe development is supported by the previous nutritional survey, which shows which micronutrients are lacking.
The aim is to provide a recipe that is simple and can be implemented with the existing cooking utensils and cooking places. The meal is prepared together with the cook of the children’s crisis house and adapted to the conditions. The method of preparation is based on the previous school meals.
The mentioned foods are to be cultivated independently in a nearby garden. This is managed by the members of an existing mother group and the children from the crisis house, among others. In this way we ensure that the porridge can be prepared in the future without our help and that there is no dependence.
The innovativeness of our approach
We have already been there and carried out a nutrition survey of the children in the crisis house. We develop a porridge that is precisely tailored to this target group. We use existing knowledge of the preparation method of corn porridge to pass on a recipe that resembles the usual processes in order to achieve a high tolerance. We combine traditional recipes such as the bone broth from Germany and the cereal porridge from Uganda with the findings of modern nutrition therapy.
Until now, only beef has been used for consumption. We want to act sustainably by boiling out the bovine bones that were previously considered waste in order to extract valuable micronutrients.
Technologies and Methods
We work directly with the association Lichtstrahl Uganda e.V. This gives us access to local networks, medical staff, food retailers and sponsors. We were there ourselves and got to know the children and the cook and made important contacts.
Potential Partners
With Lichtstrahl Uganda e.V. we already have a partner in Uganda. It started in 2011 with a medical station in Gulu. In the following years, the project was expanded to include a maternity ward, a preschool and secondary school as well as a children’s crisis house. Further projects are planned. The association already has many sponsors who are interested in supporting our project.
Voting ends on June 24, 2018, 11:59 pm (CEST).
| Team: | Jolien Maltzahn
Wieland Buschmann |