Nourishing Lives: Empowering Communities Through Nutrition Clubs

By: Lerato Brown, Communications and Marketing Manager, Lesotho

In the heart of Sekokong, a distant village nestled within the mountains of Mokhotlong, Lesotho, a transformative journey begins; a journey marked by resilience, determination, and hope. This is the story of women who, motivated by a desire for change, found support and empowerment in joining nutrition clubs in their village.

Sekokong and many other villages in Mokhotlong face significant challenges related to health and nutrition, particularly for children. Child malnutrition, especially stunting, is a common struggle. According to a 2021 UNICEF report, one-third of children in Lesotho are stunted, a figure that has risen from 33% in 2014 to 35% in 2018.

These statistics and other contributing factors motivated the establishment of nutrition clubs in all World Vision Lesotho Area Programmes with two of the nutrition clubs in Sekokong, comprising village health workers, pregnant and lactating mothers, and caregivers.

"Before joining the nutrition club, I felt lost, unsure of how to provide for my family," shares Marethabile Motuba, chairperson of one of the village's nutrition clubs. "But now, with the knowledge I've gained, I feel equipped keep my children nourished and healthy."

"Before joining the nutrition club, I felt lost, unsure of how to provide for my family. But now, with the knowledge I've gained, I feel equipped keep my children nourished and healthy."

Marethabile shared her inspiration for joining one of the Sekokong nutrition clubs: "I was moved by what the clubs promised to teach us about nutritious foods and how to prepare them. Despite feeding our children, they were not receiving the nutrients they needed to grow healthy, causing them to fall ill often."

Established as part of the Health, HIV & Nutrition Programme by World Vision, these nutrition clubs serve as hubs of knowledge and support for their members; the clubs provide a haven for learning and growth, offering insights into nutrition, health, and community engagement.

"For far too long, we've struggled with malnutrition and illness," reflects Makhotso Mahamo, a dedicated village health worker. "But through the nutrition clubs, we have found hope. We are not just learning about nutrition; we are changing lives by applying the knowledge we receive." Conducting monthly child health assessments has shown significant improvements in their weight and growth, giving us hope that we can indeed overcome malnutrition." she explained.

We are not just learning about nutrition; we are changing lives by applying the knowledge we receive."

Makhula Mongaola, a mother of four, was attracted to the club by the sight of her neighbour’s thriving crops under shade nets. "I wanted to learn how to ensure my crops thrive," she said. Through the club, Makhula received training on hygiene, balanced diets for children, food preparation, child growth monitoring, and climate-smart agriculture.

In 2022, Makhula started a small business selling beans and spinach but struggled to sustain her produce. Today, thanks to the nutrition club's training, she can sell to larger groups and has diversified her garden to include cabbage, potatoes, beetroot, and carrots. Her profits have increased from 100 maloti (Lesotho currency) to over 300 maloti weekly, and most importantly, her two-year-old son is now living a health filled life. "I have the skills to feed him nutritious meals from my garden," she proudly shared.

"I have the skills to feed him nutritious meals from my garden,"

In only a year since their inception in March 2023, the impact of the nutrition clubs became increasingly evident. Families experienced improvements in their health and well-being, with fewer instances of illness and a greater sense of vitality in children. Additionally, they now own homestead gardens, which serve as sustainable food sources and income generators.

"We host community dialogues to share new ways of planting crops, teach food preservation, and support school feeding programs," Marethabile shared. The members' homes serve as examples of self-sufficiency, inspiring others to adopt similar practices.

The nutrition clubs have also established a Savings for Transformation (S4T) group, where members save and share money to buy chickens and pigs for selling, empowering them to start their own businesses. This initiative has brought economic benefits and fostered a sense of community and mutual support.

The dreams of Sekokokng nutrition clubs’ members are not just wishes; they are calls to action, urging us to join them in their quest for change. As we bear witness to their journey, let us stand in solidarity, offering our support, collective and immediate action to building healthier communities for all.