World Vision Rwanda has launched Professional Umuganda, an anti-malnutrition initiative aimed at helping to overcome critical health challenges. The initiative is part of a collective journey toward ensuring the health and well-being of every child in Rwanda, with the ultimate goal of achieving a zero-stunting rate.

The initiative was officially launched on February 7 at Kabyiniro Village in Cyanika Sector, Burera District, Northern Province. This launch followed its rollout in Rutsiro and Karongi Districts. Leaders, including Maurice Mugabowagahunde, the Governor of Northern Province, James Kabarebe, the Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, and other government officials, attended the launch.

Professional Umuganda is a structured community service effort to combat child stunting and malnutrition, with the goal of enhancing the most vulnerable children’s health by improving their nutritional status.

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The innovative approach brings together professionals, agricultural experts, the private sector, and community leaders to promote collaborative solutions to tackling malnutrition and stunting among children.

During the launch, the delegation engaged in various activities including planting vegetable gardens and fruit trees, building a house for a senior citizen, Fridah Kanziga, feeding children under five with nutritious food, and distributing cows under the Girinka programme to improve livelihoods.

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Kabarebe emphasized the importance of healthy foods, especially for children, noting that "investing in them means securing the country&039;s future”.

"A country's development begins with children. You should ask yourself why everyone talks about them. It means they are very important. We walked the same path, and if we had missed such essential needs, we wouldn’t be where we are today, doing amazing jobs. Therefore, taking good care of them means taking care of the country,” he noted.

He stressed the need to completely stop the use and smuggling of alcohol, as it contributes to family instability and conflicts.

"Alcohol is an addictive drug. We need to completely stop using it, and with the engagement of leadership, nothing can prevent us from fostering a strong sense of responsibility,” he added.

Over the years, Rwanda has made remarkable progress, showcasing to the world what determination, unity, accountability, and visionary leadership can accomplish. From reducing poverty to improving child well-being, healthcare, economic growth and so much more, Rwanda has emerged as a model of resilience and development.

As noted, in June 2024, World Vision Rwanda launched the Professional Umuganda initiative in Western Province (Rutsiro and Karongi districts), as part of its commitment to tackling malnutrition. In Rutsiro District alone, 39,960 children under five were screened and some were found to be malnourished. In Karongi District, 34,560 children were screened through this initiative.

Pauline Okumu, the National Director of World Vision Rwanda, stated that "rehabilitation efforts are underway to promote the health and well-being of these children, and they are delivering tangible results. Within four months, about 10,000 children have recovered from malnutrition, bringing the total to 23,000. We're aiming to reduce the stunting rate from 41 to 15 percent.”

Before launching Professional Umuganda in Burera, World Vision Rwanda laid a strong foundation through strategic planning and collaboration. They began with meetings with the mayor to address the malnutrition crisis, followed by engaging key stakeholders—development partners, NGOs, church leaders, local leaders, the private sector, and security organs—to develop a unified strategy for tackling the issue.

"We convened a dedicated session with partners engaged in the District Plan for the Elimination of Malnutrition (DPM) to ensure clarity on roles and contributions. To strengthen local capacity, we trained 57 health and community practitioners from all 19 health facilities across Burera, equipping them with essential skills in the Positive Deviance Hearth (PDH) Model for effective malnutrition screening and rapid rehabilitation,” explained Pauline Okumu.

"These engagements have not only reinforced our collective responsibility but have also set the stage for Professional Umuganda to drive change in Burera. Today, as we officially launch this initiative in this district, we do so with a firm commitment: to work together with government, partners, and communities to end malnutrition and ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential,” she added.

Soline Mukamana, the mayor of Burera District, noted that recent data on malnutrition showed that the district has a 29 percent rate for children under two years. However, with new efforts in place, there is optimism for improvement, and they hope for good results.

"We’ve already stepped into NST2. In collaboration with all organs, we believe and aim to excel over other districts. History should change. This Professional Umuganda means a lot and is tackling both sides. It's not just a mere Umuganda but a special one. Parents shouldn't engage in conflicts but should be exemplary to others, as conflicts fuel stunting and malnutrition,” she noted.