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We Effect and Farmers Union of Malawi partner to Empower Malawian Youth Through Food Education and Sustainability

Gladys Lawrence(with a blue cup), Standard 8, 14 years old with Eliza Gatoma, Standard 7, aged 13, Samama village, Rosheen Louis, Standard 6, aged 14, Thanganyika village, Portia Kaipa, Standard 7, aged 14, from Chimichanga Village smiling as they queue for IFA
Gladys Lawrence(with a blue cup), Standard 8, 14 years old with Eliza Gatoma, Standard 7, aged 13, Samama village, Rosheen Louis, Standard 6, aged 14, Thanganyika village, Portia Kaipa, Standard 7, aged 14, from Chimichanga Village smiling as they queue for IFA

Written by

Bhekumusa Moyo
"In Malawi's Blantyre and Balaka districts, We Effect and the Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) are engaging youth in food systems through the Thanzi Project. Adolescents like Gladys Lawrence are learning valuable skills in food preparation, vegetable gardening, and nutrition, enhancing their household diets and health. The project also supports adolescent girls with Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS)."

We Effect and Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) through Thanzi project is promoting adolescent youth involvement in food systems activities as one way of improving diet and nutrition at their households.

Gladys Lawrence(with a blue cup), Standard 8, 14 years old with Eliza Gatoma, Standard 7, aged 13, Samama village, Rosheen Louis, Standard 6, aged 14, Thanganyika village, Portia Kaipa, Standard 7, aged 14, from Chimichanga Village smiling as they queue for IFA

Currently, the project is implemented in two districts of Blantyre and Balaka, targeting youth groups and primary school learners.

At Mango Pre-School, in Traditional Authority Kuntaja, Chileka, Blantyre, youths from the surrounding communities have been gathering at least once a fortnight since October 2023, to learn about food preparation and utilization.

Gladys Lawrence, 14, in Standard Eight said being part of the gatherings has helped her learn how to prepare and process food for consumption.

“We have been taught about the six food groups, and we have been experimenting on how best to prepare our food. My favorite has been the preparation of soya porridge because since I was introduced to soya porridge I have enjoyed eating it and it has helped me to balance weight,” Gladys said.

In addition, Gladys is happy to learn about relish preparation from Moringa leaves. She said all along she never knew that Moringa was edible.“

Monica Mwase, 14 years old, (left) in Standard 7 peeling Irish potatoes in preparation for a one-pot dish and Esnart Julius, 14 years old in Standard 7 cutting sweet potatoes (both from Chilangoma Primary School)

“We have had Moringa tree at our house compound for years but we didn’t know its benefits. I am excited because through the demonstrations I learnt how to prepare relish from Moringa leaves and I can prepare the relish at home,” she said.

Further Gladys said that from the demonstrations, she also learnt how to make hibiscus juice, one-pot dish and many more food recipes from locally available ingredients.

She could not hide her excitement about hibiscus juice saying it has helped her as a blood supplement especially now that she reached menarche.

“During my first months after reaching menarche, I would have headaches, and my eyes became so pale. When I went to the hospital I was told my blood level was low.

“So at school, they encouraged me to join Adolescent cooking demonstrations as well as Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) for adolescent girls. I am now completely healed,” Gladys said.

Miracle Moses, 13, in Standard Seven is also one of the rightsholders from Chilangoma Primary School, who is proud to have learnt about vegetable production within homestead.

He said he has managed to come up with a garden at home where he grows assorted types of vegetables.

“We don’t struggle to get vegetables any longer. Each day we are assured of vitamin uptake because we have the vegetables right in our backyard,” Moses said.

Thanzi Project is targeting Adolescents under the Adolescent cooking demonstrations as well as Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) for girls.