We are overjoyed to announce that 12 of our 29 students who sat for the Malawi School Certificate of Examinations have been selected to various universities! As we celebrate this milestone, we would like to share biographies of some of the students.
Uncovering the Hidden Threat of Malnutrition in Our Community
Our Healthcare Team Approaches Nutrition in a New Way
Author: Praises Padambo
Uncovering the Hidden Threat of Malnutrition in Our Community
Imagine a health crisis lurking in the shadows, affecting hundreds of thousands in your community. It’s not a virus, a bacteria or a disease, but something just as debilitating: malnutrition. Today we look at a new approach to nutrition studies in Kasese taken on by our Healthcare team.
What is Malnutrition?
Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. The term malnutrition addresses 3 broad groups of conditions:
- undernutrition, which includes wasting (low weight-for-height), stunting (low height-for-age) and underweight (low weight-for-age);
- micronutrient-related malnutrition, which includes micronutrient deficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals) or micronutrient excess; and
- overweight, obesity which predispose one to non communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some forms of cancer
Malnutrition remains a silent threat in rural Malawi
Malnutrition remains a silent threat in rural Malawi, owing to high poverty levels which result in poor diets among other factors. Due to poverty, most households can not afford balanced diets, putting their health at risk. As such, the issue of malnutrition affects many individuals of all ages and backgrounds in rural Malawi, leaving devastating consequences including weak immune systems and even increased mortality rates. In a literal sense, the phrase “you are what you eat” means that nutrients from the foods we eat provide the foundation of the structure, function, and wholeness of every cell in our body, from the skin and hair to the muscles, bones, brain, digestive and immune systems.
Children affected by malnutrition (undernutrition) are at risk of experiencing long-term consequences such as cognitive delays, particularly in areas such as language, memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. These deficiencies can affect their ability to learn and comprehend information effectively hence early school dropouts. As such, such children do not contribute positively to the national development when they become adults.
This is what has spurred our Healthcare team to embark on a journey of addressing the issue of malnutrition in our catchment area. The team is equipped to shed light on this silent epidemic and provide a lifeline to those in need.
Why is this initiative important?
Our team believes that the earlier we detect malnutrition, the sooner we can intervene in changing and saving lives, reducing healthcare burdens, long-term effects and improving the overall well-being of individuals.
The assessment will also help our Healthcare program in creating tailored care plans, addressing specific nutritional needs and health goals in our catchment area. This personalized approach will help ensure that our community receives necessary support thus, enhancing the effectiveness of our healthcare program.
This will also help us in our journey of treating noncommunicable diseases that we embarked on some months ago. By earlier assessing the nutritional status of individuals we will better manage conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory diseases. This will then result in reduced morbidity, mortality, and improved quality of life.
Join the Movement
Join the movement! If you are from around Kasese and you or someone you love may be struggling with malnutrition, reach out to our team for a free assessment. Let’s unite to create a healthier, more vibrant community where everyone can thrive.
Share on:
The Orant Journal
Early this week, we celebrated Esther Maupa's graduation from Mwimba College of Agriculture! As promised, today we are sharing her full story of how she overcame challenges and achieved success! Read our latest blog article to get inspired by Esther's journey!
We are proud to share an update on our Energy and Environment program, which aims to promote sustainable practices in Kaondo and surrounding villages. In this week’s blog article, we share about the progress we have made in introducing firewood-saving stoves, called Nkhuni Pang’ono, Moto! Meaning “Less firewood, A Lot of Fire.”
Orant’s spring fundraiser, Play for a Purpose: Bingo for Education Equality, is this week. Today we’re presenting you with a special edition of our blog highlighting not only the Orant education program, but also the support of our presenting sponsor, GeoShack, whose employees have sponsored 30 students over the past four years.
Today, we are excited to kick off our celebration of International Women's Day! We are honoring the incredible achievements of women worldwide, acknowledging the obstacles they face, and advocating for a more just and equitable society. This year's theme, "For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment," calls for collective action to unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all, ensuring a future where no one is left behind. At Orant, we're committed to empowering rural women in our community. Read our latest blog article to discover the ways we're working towards a more equitable future for all.
It's been a while since we last shared an update on our Mobile Outreach clinic, but rest assured that our team has been working tirelessly to deliver healthcare services to hard-to-reach populations. Despite the challenges posed by the rainy season, our clinic remains in full swing, with our team venturing out every day to bring medical care to those who need it most. In today's blog, we highlight the significance of our Mobile Outreach clinic during this rainy season, and its impact on the communities we serve.
It's been a while since we last shared an update on our Mobile Outreach clinic, but rest assured that our team has been working tirelessly to deliver healthcare services to hard-to-reach populations. Despite the challenges posed by the rainy season, our clinic remains in full swing, with our team venturing out every day to bring medical care to those who need it most. In today's blog, we highlight the significance of our Mobile Outreach clinic during this rainy season, and its impact on the communities we serve.
As the backbone of Malawi's economy, agriculture accounts for approximately 30% of the country's Gross Domestic Product. It is the primary source of livelihood for many rural Malawians, who solely rely on farming to make ends meet. However, the journey to a successful harvest is never easy for these rural farmers, who face numerous challenges that threaten their livelihoods. In this week's blog article, we delve into the current challenges facing Malawi’s rural farmers this farming season.
In today's fast-paced world, digital financial literacy is more important than ever. It is essential for saving time and resources, as most financial transactions have gone digital. This week, our Business Development program launched a digital financial literacy campaign, building on our previous "Hey Sister! Show me your mobile money" campaign. Read our latest blog article to learn more about this campaign and its impact on our communities.
These beaming smiles belong to our Tikondane Village Savings and Loan (VSL) group members, who have just harvested the fruits of their labor after a year of hard work and diligent saving. Through our VSL program, these incredible individuals have learned the value of saving, budgeting, and investing in the future of their families. Click the link below to learn more about how VSLs work and hear incredible stories from these women.