New Project Alert: Nutrition Programme

The Nutrition Programme resources used by volunteers.

It has consistently perplexed staff as well as volunteers on both our medical and community projects as to how we can further promote healthy living – particularly when it comes to the nutrition of the people we work with in both Khula and Ezwenelisha. High prevalence of ailments such as HIV/AIDS, TB, high blood pressure and diabetes in the societies in which we work has led us to continuously advocate a healthy diet for all. This is however a difficult thing to promote in a society where people have very little money to spend on adequate nutrition.

An opportunity arose to work with local business Hornbill House, who wished to partner with African Impact in supplying us with the nutritional supplement “EPap.” By forming this partnership, we could both reach out to the community in a way we’ve never done before. This has become the cornerstone to our new Nutritional Programme.

The Zikhale family during their first meeting with African
Impact staff and volunteers. 

As always, we began by speaking to the Induna (leader) of Khula Village, who happily suggested some families that could benefit from the nutrition we could provide. We also reached out to the Lifeline Caregivers in Ezwenelisha, who have provided us with two more families to begin our programme.

Once the four families were chosen, we gave them each a special visit, taking their weights, getting to know their members and situation while evaluating their current health. The four families are all clearly suffering from a lack of basic nutrition, among other health needs that can be remedied by using EPap, which will give them added vitamins and nutrients and give their immune systems a boost. Members of the families suffer from TB, HIV, cancer, broken arms, fungal infections, skin rashes, arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes and fatigue.

Our aim with this new project is to teach families about proper nutrition and healthy living while providing them with the boost they need to regain their health. As the programme moves further, we hope to start providing people with gardens and consult with them regarding how to manage chronic problem such as diabetes and high blood pressure through a healthy diet.

Please check back on our blog for more updates as this programme develops and grows with the help of our volunteers.