Lusubilo Community Care conducted Nutrition Open Day at Junju Community-Based Organization (CBO) in Mkandizi Village, Rumphi District. The event aimed to promote healthy diets, food diversification and improved nutrition practices, while emphasizing male involvement in nutrition-related decision making at both household and community level.
The event brought together 184 participants, including community members, traditional leaders, government officials from the Agriculture, Health, Social Welfare, Forestry, Water and Environmental departments, as well as development partners CADECOM and WARCRAD.
A key highlight of the event was a food exhibition where participants showcased a variety of nutritious meals prepared from locally available ingredients. The displays included mgaiwa porridge with pumpkin leaves, cassava and green banana snacks, roasted maize and groundnut snacks, futali, orange-fleshed sweet potato doughnuts, chiponde, beans cooked with groundnut flour and vegetables, yam and avocado mash, groundnut flour beef stew and vitumbuwa, demonstrating practical and affordable ways of improving dietary diversity at household level.
The event also featured drama performances, Vimbuza and Mbotosya, through which participants conveyed key messages on nutrition, hygiene and sanitation. These interactive sessions emphasized the importance of balanced diets, proper sanitation practices and shared responsibility within households in preventing malnutrition.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Guest of Honor, the Area Development Committee (ADC) Chairperson, commended Lusubilo Community Care for complementing government efforts in improving community well-being through practical nutrition interventions. He encouraged continued collaboration among government departments, traditional leaders, development partners and communities to sustain progress in promoting improved nutrition and resilient livelihoods.
The Nutrition Open Day forms part of Lusubilo Community Care’s interventions under the Integrated support for Orphans, Vulnerable Children and Youth (IOVCY) Project, implemented with financial support from the Coppell Family and technical assistance from the Catholic Relief Services (CRS).