In Uganda, 4 in 10 children under 5 are stunted, meaning that their malnutrition has been so chronic that it has impacted their bone growth. In rural areas, these numbers increase dramatically. The reasons for this are complex and include climate-related changes that affect farming and food availability, shifts in US aid policy that affect food and vaccine distribution, poor maternal and child health, lack of extended family supports for many members of the community, and limited teaching about family health and nutrition.

In rural communities around Jinja, WYWA’s project leader Semei Jolley is working to empower mothers and strengthen children by changing the way families eat, what they grow, and how children afflicted by malnutrition are cared for.

Semei – an agriculturalist  – leads a small team of volunteers who provide home health visits to vulnerable mothers and children, work with local leaders to organize classes about child health and nutrition, and brings isolated mothers together to create vibrant and thriving gardens to meet families’ and communities’ nutritional needs.  The work is hindered by poor roads and the lack of reliable transportation (the team covers large distances on foot or on a rented motorcycle when funds permit), and the influence of traditional healers who actively discourage mothers from seeking medical care for their malnourished children. Despite the hurdles WYWA faces, Semei and his team continue to seek out, support, and actively nourish as many local families as they can. In 2024, WYWA provided outreach to over 300 children in the area around Jinja. The need continues to grow.

Even a small donation has a tremendous impact on the health of the community’s mothers and children, whether by funding life-saving treatment for acute malnutrition, providing vital gardening/farming supplies or hosting educational workshops based on community.  For more information contact Kirsti at [email protected].