ISU Nutrition Education Centers (NECs) revolve around a seemingly simple star; porridge. But this isn’t just any porridge. Made from a mixture of millet, soya beans, amaranth, maize, silverfish, sugar, milk, and water, this porridge provides around 1,000 nutrient-dense calories per client each day! Clients who attend the NEC’s are not only provided with prepared porridge, but they also learn how to make their own and better feed their families.

Jerry cans are ubiquitous to Uganda as well as many other African countries. They are used to store and transport just about any kind of liquid. In the case of the ISU Nutrition Education Centers, they are utilized for fetching water and milk as well as modified to create tip-taps (hand washing stations).

It takes the involvement of many individuals and organizations working in tandem in a wide variety of ways to solve big issues like mother and infant nutrition. The ISU-UP Nutrition Education Centers partner with Kamuli district health services to expand the reach of vital services. These include immunizations and well as general health education and training.

One of the primary benefits of ISU-UP’s Nutrition Education Centers is that they are set up in locations where the need is greatest. Members of the community step up to host these centers at their homes. Imagine hosting 50 to 100 people at your home for lunch five days each week! Sanitary plates, cups, spoons, etc. ensure that everyone receives a sanitary serving of nutritious porridge.

Not only will mothers and infants who attend the Nutrition Education Center receive vital nourishment, but they also receive training on how to grow their own porridge ingredients. Seeds and seedlings are provided for planting nourishing vegetables. After a successful harvest, mothers collect seeds for their next planting and a return a portion the seeds to the program to be given to the next mother in need.

The progress of mothers and children who attend Nutrition Education Centers is measurable. The height and weight of babies, children, and mothers are monitored monthly. Healthy babies have the opportunity to develop into productive adults. Investing in children’s health is an investment into the future of the community.

Malnutrition cannot be stopped with food alone. One-third of the world's population lacks access to a decent toilet and another 844 million are without clean water. Conditions like these are ripe for the spread of diarrheal diseases. Even a full belly cannot protect from malnutrition, if your body can't absorb the nutrients it's given. What they lack in glamour, they make up for in importance. Vital components of CSRL's Nutrition Education Centers in Uganda are well functioning latrines and hand washing stations. Your donation will give newborns in Kamuli a clean start.