Village leaders discussed the issue of malnutrition in Nebrou in the Center-West Province with a Peace Corps volunteer. The group embarked upon a plan to address this problem by committing themselves to building two gardens, one at the primary school and another at the local health center (COGES). Other goals are to educate the local population about better nutrition and local farmers about modern cultivation techniques. Produce harvested at the school’s garden provides fresh vegetables for student lunches. The garden at the local health center is an important source of both vegetables and moringa ingredients to families in the village. Note, the moringa tree, which grows well in savanna regions of West Africa, provides a rich and inexpensive source of vitamins, minerals, and protein. Food prepared with moringa leaves and oil is an important, and underutilized, tool in the struggle against malnutrition.

Feeding enriched porridge to children at the Nebrou health center
Feeding enriched porridge to children at the Nebrou health center
A nutritional education session
A nutritional education session