In February 2022, two professionals traveled to Uganda on behalf of the Green Food Foundation.
Here, they initiated a mission in collaboration with the NGO Link to Progress. Link to Progress is a non-governmental organization which aims to serve vulnerable communities in Northern and Eastern Uganda. The organization currently in the process of implementing a healthy school lunch program to improve the nutritional status of primary school children living in the Oyam district.
Currently, many children do not consume enough energy and/or nutrients and are therefore at a higher risk for negative health consequences, such as wasting, stunting, micronutrient deficiencies and developmental delay. In order to improve the nutritional value of the school lunches, Link to Progress invited our professionals with the request to assist them.
Our professionals provided valuable information on the importance of nutrition for the mother and (unborn) child during the first 1000 days of life. Additionally, in the Oyam district five primary schools were visited and over 600 children were measured. They found that of the 190 children aged between 5 and 10 years, 5,3% were underweight. Of the 610 children in total, 8,9% were stunted, 23,4% had thinness and 5,9% suffered from severe thinness. Furthermore, of the 61 measured children 37,7% had anemia. Of these, 52,2% suffered from mild anemia and 47,8% from moderate anemia. No children had severe anemia.
The primary aim was to advise Link to Progress and the headmasters and teachers of the schools with regards to healthy nutrition, in order to improve the nutritional status of the children. Sustainability and local availability were taken into account. Through the advice, the Green Food Foundation eventually hopes to contribute to reducing the prevalence of wasting, stunting and/or anemia. Developments will be followed for a year and, if necessary, further advice will be given to secure the results.
Update 2024
In the second half of 2024, this project was successfully completed. We remain in contact with Link to Progress for any further developments.
Feedback of Link to Progress:
Dear Sir/Madam,
As Link to Progress, an independent organisation based in Uganda. We are writing on behalf of the Green Food Foundation; they have been advising Link to Progress on nutrition for children in schools and communities since the year 2021. Specifically, they guided Link to Progress in the following.
- Nutrition information that was introduced to schools and communities where Link to Progress is working.
- Introduction of kitchen gardens in schools and communities where Link to Progress works.
- How to incorporate nutritional foods in day-to-day menu, that is meal plans and sustainability of nutrition initiatives in schools through formation of food committees in the schools.
Based on our professional relationship with the Green Food Foundation, I feel confident I can provide you with insight into their substantial suitability for funding.
In the past years, we have had the pleasure working with them, and we have seen their extraordinary growth in knowledge and accomplishments. They have continuously followed up how Link to Progress is going about with all aspects listed above, even from abroad through online meetings and emails.
I am delighted to recommend the Green Food Foundation for any funding opportunity. I would be happy to provide more information about them if needed.
Yours sincerely,
Arecho Juliet
Country Manager
Link to Progress
