Ian Elgie, Chair of UNA Eastbourne, visited Eastern Uganda from 26th June to 10th July 2017 as part of our Moringa Project. The following is a report on the workshops conducted in Uganda on nutrition during that visit, with updates on 2019 and plans for 2020-21.
In response to the need to combat rural malnutrition in eastern Uganda, a programme of workshops on simple local solutions to better nutrition using the exceptional Moringa tree was organised by Ian Elgie, Chair, UNA Eastbourne, assisted by Christina Elgie. Workshops were conducted in 5 districts of Uganda: Mbale, Sironko, Bulambuli, Kumi and Busembatia during late June and early July 2017. In total over 360 community leaders were addressed with the expectation that these participants would feedback to their village communities the essential message of the workshops.
Structure of the workshops
Each workshop was structured with an introduction on the essentials of good nutrition using local , easily available food resources. An emphasis was made on the key role played by green vegetables for micro-nutrients – an element in the diet often overlooked, leading to severe malnutrition in vulnerable sectors of the community, especially mothers and young children.
After the initial introduction to the essential good balance of foods, the special role of Moringa was promoted – as a food easily available for harvest year round from household gardens. To keep within our budget 3000 50cm seedlings were purchased from 3 separate community nurseries, although a far greater number of seedlings were germinated. In addition thousands of seeds were also given out to supplement the seedlings should any fail to survive. Instructions were given on how to prepare the Moringa for meals, how to cultivate the tree and importantly how to prune it too.
Language of the workshops
Workshops were conducted in English but translators were available for the main languages of the areas: Luganda, Lugisu and Ateso. Laminated A3 colour posters for public display were made in 5 languages (including Swahili) and in A5 handouts, given to all participants
In response to the need to combat rural malnutrition in eastern Uganda, a programme of workshops on simple local solutions to better nutrition using the exceptional Moringa tree was organised by Ian Elgie, Chair, UNA Eastbourne, assisted by Christina Elgie. Workshops were conducted in 5 districts of Uganda: Mbale, Sironko, Bulambuli, Kumi and Busembatia during late June and early July 2017. In total over 360 community leaders were addressed with the expectation that these participants would feedback to their village communities the essential message of the workshops.
Structure of the workshops
Each workshop was structured with an introduction on the essentials of good nutrition using local , easily available food resources. An emphasis was made on the key role played by green vegetables for micro-nutrients – an element in the diet often overlooked, leading to severe malnutrition in vulnerable sectors of the community, especially mothers and young children.
After the initial introduction to the essential good balance of foods, the special role of Moringa was promoted – as a food easily available for harvest year round from household gardens. To keep within our budget 3000 50cm seedlings were purchased from 3 separate community nurseries, although a far greater number of seedlings were germinated. In addition thousands of seeds were also given out to supplement the seedlings should any fail to survive. Instructions were given on how to prepare the Moringa for meals, how to cultivate the tree and importantly how to prune it too.
Language of the workshops
Workshops were conducted in English but translators were available for the main languages of the areas: Luganda, Lugisu and Ateso. Laminated A3 colour posters for public display were made in 5 languages (including Swahili) and in A5 handouts, given to all participants
An Exemplar Workshop
Apollo Na Angor (ANA), Bukedea district: NGO for women’s empowerment
In preparation for this workshop, Ian Elgie had requested in February 2017 that the Director, Moses Aisia, prepare a nursery to provide at least a thousand Moringa seedlings in readiness for the July workshop. The very successful germination and rapid growth meant that by late June more than 3000 50-80cm seedlings were ready for distribution at the two local workshops. In addition thousands of seeds had been harvested from local mature trees to be handed with the seedlings.
The workshop, conducted at ANA’s Development Centre, from 10am to 1pm on the 6th July, was attended by 78 women and 4 men. English and Ateso were the languages employed. The 90 minute presentation, started with an introduction to the elements of a good meal, emphasising the importance of greens for essential micronutrients. Common African leafy vegetables (ALVs) were identified of which Moringa was noted to be the most valuable.
Information was given on the best preparation of the leaves and then information of the pruning of the plant for maximum leaf production. There followed a short break and then an equally rewarding Q &A session. The morning session concluded with an excellent lunch at which stir-fried Moringa leaves were the star ingredients. Finally each participant was able to take back to their villages a packet of about 300 Moringa seeds for direct planting in their community homesteads to supplement the seedlings.
In preparation for this workshop, Ian Elgie had requested in February 2017 that the Director, Moses Aisia, prepare a nursery to provide at least a thousand Moringa seedlings in readiness for the July workshop. The very successful germination and rapid growth meant that by late June more than 3000 50-80cm seedlings were ready for distribution at the two local workshops. In addition thousands of seeds had been harvested from local mature trees to be handed with the seedlings.
The workshop, conducted at ANA’s Development Centre, from 10am to 1pm on the 6th July, was attended by 78 women and 4 men. English and Ateso were the languages employed. The 90 minute presentation, started with an introduction to the elements of a good meal, emphasising the importance of greens for essential micronutrients. Common African leafy vegetables (ALVs) were identified of which Moringa was noted to be the most valuable.
Information was given on the best preparation of the leaves and then information of the pruning of the plant for maximum leaf production. There followed a short break and then an equally rewarding Q &A session. The morning session concluded with an excellent lunch at which stir-fried Moringa leaves were the star ingredients. Finally each participant was able to take back to their villages a packet of about 300 Moringa seeds for direct planting in their community homesteads to supplement the seedlings.
What does the scheme involve?
- Coordinating with local development institutions, district officers, schools, health clinics and farmers (these links are already established through our tree planting programme).
- Pilot schemes will be trialed in five districts: Mbale; Sironko; Bulambuli; Kumi and Namutumba.
- Focus will be on engaging village communities via women’s groups, health clinics and through school science teachers as agents of diffusion.
- Workshops will provide information on the growing, harvesting and preparation of moringa, the supply of free seedlings and educational material.
- Facilitators in the village communities and schools will be informed of: the methods of growing, pruning the tree, how to harvest, prepare and store the leaves and how to incorporate into their diets.
The pilot scheme lasted 18 months, from February to July 2017 and was then progressively extended to provide moringa seedlings to many rural schools, primary health clinics and women’s group in the communities. Workshops were also conducted to ensure not only successful planting programmes but also workshops on the best practices for using the leaves of moringa in diets and best methods of preparation to maintain maximum nutrients in cooked leaves. Educational materials were distributed, many in local languages and, capacity was built for organisational structures to ensure continuing diffusion of the Moringa oleifera as a vital nutritional source for community health.
A progress report for 2018-19 is available on the Moringa Project Page.
A progress report for 2018-19 is available on the Moringa Project Page.