Kigali-14 November, 2018-The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion was nn Wednesday, 14 November, 2018, visiting ECD Centers in Munyiginya and Mwurire sectors respectively where she applauded the progress made in the fight against stunting and malnutrition.

Ambassador Soline Nyirahabimana was accompanied by officials from the National Early Childhood Development Program, Rwamagana District officials. Upon arrival, they were given a tour at Gishari sector and explained how the district traces malnourished children and give them special care through an initiative dubbed 'Akarima k'Umudugudu', poorly translated as 'Village Garden'.

The Village Garden, is located in Munyiginya Sector, Nkomangwa cell. The place has a model Early Childhood Development Center that accommodates and give holistic services to 90 children.

The place also has a community based ECD Center where parents gather to learn about proper feeding, hygiene and sanitation. Residents contribute food that is used to feed malnourished children for twelve weeks and those are below the yellow line, are given intensive care. Community health workers also examine weight and height of the children who are brought to this community ECD Center to see if they are proportional to their age.

Addressing parents who were gathered here this week, Ambassador Soline Nyirahabimana applauded the citizens’ efforts in ending malnutrition, calling them to keep the struggle and encourage others to join the battle.

'I thank you for the efforts in ending malnutrition. What I have seen in this ECD model, is a proof that if you work together, we can end stunting that is preventing our children from living a happy life. If men and women join efforts, you can achieve it.' echoed Amb. Soline.

According to recent research, the number of malnourished children in Rwamagana decreased from 664 in 2017 to 175 in 2018, while 18 children are in red category and 157 are in yellow according to district officials.

The Minister greeted the citizens’ participation in putting in place ECD centers with available resources and their role in ending stunting and malnutrition. Amb.Soline urged Rwamagana citizens to keep the pace and keep encouraging others to join the struggle.

Amb.Soline Nyirahabimana and other officials fed children with nutritious food and milk.