On June 18, we celebrate World Gastronomy Day a day that honours the role of food in our health, culture, and community well-being. But beyond taste and tradition, this day reminds us that nutrition is the foundation of life, especially for mothers and children in underserved areas.
In Marakwet East, ADS North Rift, in partnership with World Vision Kenya and funded by BMZ, is helping families improve their health and future through the Grow Enrich Project.
Why Good Nutrition Matters
Good nutrition is not just about having enough food , it’s about having the right food. Nutrition plays a vital role in:
Preventing malnutrition, stunting, and wasting in children
Supporting healthy growth, brain development, and strong immunity
Ensuring safe pregnancies and healthy mothers
Breaking cycles of poverty by improving productivity and education outcomes
When communities are equipped with the right knowledge and access to diverse, nutritious foods, they become stronger, healthier, and more resilient.
Grow Enrich: Growing Health from the Ground Up
The Grow Enrich Project focuses on sustainable, practical ways to improve nutrition at the household and community level. It empowers families through:
Nutrition Education: Teaching caregivers how to improve meals using affordable, locally available ingredients.
Promotion of Nutritious Crops: Families are supported to grow Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP), rich in vitamin A, which helps prevent blindness and strengthens the immune system.
Engaging Men and Youth: The project trains men and young people as nutrition champions, promoting shared responsibility in household nutrition and childcare.
Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI)
A central part of the project is the Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI), a community-driven model that ensures families receive practical support to give their children the best nutritional start in life.
BFCI focuses on:
Supporting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life
Educating mothers and caregivers on complementary feeding practices using local foods
Training Community Health Promoters to provide household guidance and referrals
Forming support groups to encourage peer learning and experience sharing
This initiative places nutrition knowledge directly in the hands of parents and caregivers, where it can have the greatest impact.
Cultivating a Future of Health
As we mark World Gastronomy Day, we are reminded that food is not just about flavor, it is about fueling potential. Through the Grow Enrich Project and BFCI, families in Marakwet East are building a foundation for lasting health, one meal at a time.
Together, we can continue nurturing lives and communities through nutrition.
