Our Kigali Project
In partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rwanda (FAORW), the Rwandan Ministry of Youth & ICT and the City of Kigali, we implemented our first field project in Kigali, Rwanda, "Promoting the Nutrition of Children: We Are the Future (WAF)." Here, we work to improve the food security and nutrition of vulnerable populations, such as Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), mothers from low-income households, and those affected by HIV/AIDS. We are also piloting the first community-run Spirulina farms in Africa. This protein-rich seaweed is defined as a “super food” by nutritionists for its nutritional benefits.
Rwandan Orphan's Project
The first community based Spirulina micro-farm was set up at the Rwandan Orphans Project in the sector of Kanombe, district of Kicukiro in Kigali, which hosts 100 Orphans and Vulnerable Children, living below the poverty level. We taught children at the orphanage about Spirulina cultivation and micro-farming. Ten children, have been appointed to co-manage the Spirulina pool, including stirring the Spirulina periodically as per the Spirulina growing protocol and being responsible for the upkeep of the pool. The harvested Spirulina will be used to supplement the childrens' school meals.
What is Spirulina?
Spirulina (or Arthrospira) is a blue-green alga that grows naturally in tropical and subtropical lakes with high pH and carbonate/bicarbonate concentrations. Due to the ease with which it is grown, harvested and processed, as well as its high nutritional value and proven results in combating malnutrition and malnutrition-related diseases, it has been endorsed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
College Saint Andre
The second Spirulina micro-farm has been set up at College Saint Andre, a high school in the sector of Nyamirambo, district of Nyarugenge, in Kigali, which hosts 825 secondary school students. Besides having invited one point person from the College to attend a training workshop we organized, we also conducted a training session for the students. We built a small green house equipped with Spirulina basinets, which will also be used as a training venue for the students.
Jali Health Center
Our third Spirulina micro-farm was set up at the Jali Health Center in the district of Gasabo. Community health workers were taught how to grow the Spirulina. Once the Spirulina is ready to be harvested, it will be included in training sessions aimed at pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and those with young children who are either affected by or at risk of chronic malnutrition or undernutrition. The training will focus on Spirulina's health and nutritional benefits and how it can be easily grown and consumed in everyday recipes.