Gardens for Health International Annual Report 2020

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Dear Friends, Although 2020 has been a destabilizing year on so many levels, it has also helped us put things into perspective. For us at GHI, it has been a reminder of the value, privilege, and honor of having a network of supporters like you, and the importance and urgency of meeting the nutritional needs of children and communities. There’s an African proverb that goes, “The wind doesn’t break a tree that bends.” Throughout this challenging period, we have all done our fair share of bending. But with your help, we’ve held on to our core values, readapted our program, and bent closer to reach the growing number of those in need. Our interventions this year included immediate COVID-19 support to partner health clinics and community health workers, essential direct food aid to families most in need, and a readapted Maternal Nutrition Program. At GHI, we organized community-wide nutrition counseling, screened children for malnutrition, and formed partnerships. All together, we reached more than 100,000 people across Rwanda. I commend our entire team, whose grit made everything possible!

SOLOMON MAKUZA Executive Director Gardens for Health International

We’ve learned resiliency, and above and beyond, we have ensured that we come out of this period with an improved organization and stronger spirit. We believe that our three-year priorities to uphold adaptation, learning, strengthening partnerships, integration, and commitment to local leadership will serve as a guiding star in advancing our mission in the coming years. As we look to the months ahead, we take courage and strength in the validity and relevance of our mission and our broader community’s spirit, support, and trust to meet the moment’s challenges and opportunities. We are committed to promoting and preserving maternal and child nutrition together. Thank you for joining us in the fight against child malnutrition. With love, gratitude, and vegetables always,

Solomon

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CONTENTS LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

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OUR MISSION & MODEL

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COVID-19 RESPONSE

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OUR CORE PROGRAMS

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OUR PARTNERS

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CELEBRATING VIRTUALLY

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OUR IMPACT

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STORIES FROM THE FIELD

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LOOKING FORWARD: STRATEGIC PLAN

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THANK YOU

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FINANCES

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Photo: New mother Rachel and 1-week old baby Ian attend a GHI training at Rubungo Health Clinic when bringing Ian for vaccinations. 3


THE PROBLEM The majority of the world’s poor are farmers, yet millions are malnourished. In Rwanda, the disconnect between agriculture and nutrition is striking: 72% of families grow food for a living, yet 33% of young children are chronically malnourished. This simple concept, that food alone does not equal good nutrition, is at the heart of our mission. THE SOLUTION To tackle the root causes of malnutrition, we equip families with seeds, skills, and knowledge to create vegetable gardens, prepare balanced meals, and keep children healthy. Transformative impact is possible by investing in the nutrition of mothers and young children, because well-nourished children get sick less often, perform better in school, and are more likely to escape poverty.

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ABOUT US Our roots are in Rwanda. Since 2009, Gardens for Health International has worked hand-in-hand with local communities to end malnutrition. Our innovative curriculum on agriculture, nutrition, and health topics was designed in partnership with local mothers; our trainings are led by talented educators who come directly from the communities they serve; and our dedicated staff is 96% Rwandan. We believe in changing systems, not treating symptoms. Integrating agriculture and nutrition into the health system is the only sustainable solution to effectively treat and prevent malnutrition. We work in close partnership with the Government of Rwanda by teaming up with community health workers, delivering trainings at local health clinics, and advising policy.


AGRICULTURE: Farming for life, not just a living The long-term cure for chronic malnutrition isn’t found at a health clinic, but it can be grown in one’s own backyard. We partner with malnourished families to enable them to plant home gardens full of diverse vegetables so they have a lasting source of nutrition. We provide seeds and hands-on trainings in skills like composting, creating pesticides, and other techniques to maximize crop yields using the limited resources already available to families in rural Rwanda. NUTRITION: Knowledge is the key to change For parents to provide their families with nutritious foods, they must first understand what nutrition is. We teach parents essential knowledge like the benefits of a healthy diet, what makes a balanced meal, and breastfeeding best practices. Our innovative One Pot One Hour lesson demonstrates how to cook a healthy meal with limited time and resources, so that every mother can provide her children with the nutrients they need to thrive. HEALTH: A comprehensive approach to a complex problem Sick children often become malnourished, which makes them more likely to get sick yet again. Breaking this cycle requires addressing all the factors that lead to malnutrition. In engaging trainings full of song and dance, we educate mothers and their partners to identify symptoms of common illnesses and teach proper hygiene practices. Our comprehensive curriculum goes beyond the basics, promoting family planning and creating a safe space to discuss gender-based violence.


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A NUTRITIOUS RESP


In March of 2020, the COVID-19 virus reached Rwanda, resulting in weeks of lockdown followed by country-wide restrictions to mitigate the spread of the virus. The combined effects of COVID-19 and the resulting mitigation measures disrupted the daily lives of Rwandans, affecting their ability to make wages and feed their families, and increased the number of people at risk for malnutrition. We halted our normal program for several months and got to work serving our community where we were needed most, all while ensuring access to healthy food and sustainable agriculture for the most vulnerable. Photo: GHI provides direct food aid straight from our farm headquarters to vulnerable families.

PONSE TO COVID-19


Responding to COVID-19 WE BUILT CAPACITY Government health clinics were in need of support in managing the overarching effects of the pandemic. We leveraged our existing relationships to build the capacity of the overwhelmed health system by screening children for malnutrition, providing life-saving face masks and handwashing stations, and training community health workers in the effects of the pandemic on nutrition.

WE INCREASED UNDERSTANDING We increased community understanding of COVID-19 by reaching a wider audience through our partnership with health clinics. We delivered nutrition counseling and COVID-19 education to women and their partners at the point-of-care.

WE PLUGGED IN To ensure the safety of our partners and staff, we continued to conduct our work virtually when possible. We stayed connected to our program graduates by sending nutritionand health-related mass text messages.

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WE GAVE With the pandemic affecting families’ ability to work and go to the market, we provided food from our farm headquarters and other staple items such as soap to vulnerable families.

I don’t have as many customers as I used to, and I can’t easily move between locations to sell my items. So, getting basic needs like food is hard. The vegetables I received here today will help us eat a healthy meal and save money for other needs at home. I’m so happy I came today, and I’ve learned a lot. I want to plant my own garden at home, so I can start eating healthy! — ENATA MUHORAKEYE, MOM OF 1


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WE KEPT DADS INVOLVED We continued our fathers’ engagement program, in which we host a two-day workshop for the husbands of program participants. Ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic, 50 fathers graduated from our program, learning essential nutrition and agriculture topics and getting involved in the health of their families. WE LEVELED UP Before the pandemic put a temporary pause to our program, 483 mothers graduated from our Maternal Nutrition Program, equipped with seeds, skills, and knowledge to keep their newborns happy and healthy.


WE STUCK AROUND As part of our ongoing sustainability efforts, we organized 46 peer support groups made up of 1,234 graduates across Musanze District. In these groups, women support one another in maintaining healthy nutrition and financial habits.


WE PRIORITIZED We prioritized health and safety. In September 2020, we resumed our Maternal Nutrition Program after a six-month hiatus. We ensured the continued safety of our program participants by enacting COVID-19 precautions such as face masks, smaller class sizes, and handwashing stations. We adapted our curriculum to include COVID-19 awareness and prevention lessons. At the end of our 14-week long program, 139 mothers and 39 fathers graduated safely in December 2020.

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UN WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME: COMMUNITY LINKS THROUGH EDUCATION Musange Primary School’s gardens are a source of pride, says head teacher Claude. “They’ve been a space for learning, for both students and teachers. The gardens are a source of information, and as we all know, knowledge is power.” The school is one of 104 that GHI supports in partnership with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning UN World Food Programme. Despite school closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, school garden activities haven’t stopped. The seed bank has been a particular focus of the school. “We’re multiplying seedlings, to distribute to families and reach as many students as we can,” explains Claude. “I’m worried about food insecurity resulting in poor nutrition during COVID. This would have ripple effects on students’ performance in school.” But Musange Primary School is doing its part. “We’re increasing access to nutritious vegetables with seedling multiplication and distribution. We’re engaging the agriculture club in trainings at the school, and those maintaining the garden receive part of the harvest. And we’ve identified 38 vulnerable families around the school to distribute our veggie harvest too.”

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“The school gardens really link the school to the community,” Claude reflects. “I hope that my students stay healthy, by practicing everything they’ve learned from our agriculture and nutrition lessons. And I hope that they’ll support the rest of their community through good hygiene and nutrition practices.”


KATE SPADE ON PURPOSE FUND We trained mothers and their partners on key nutrition topics such as breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and hygiene in partnership with the kate spade on purpose fund at the Masoro Health Clinic. We also delivered lessons on agriculture; mothers and their partners learned about bed-building, planting and transplanting, and composting.

AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK We partnered with Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s wildlife preserve and safari, to train 27 at-risk neighboring mothers with essential agriculture, nutrition, and health lessons.

DMM.HEHE We expanded our reach virtually by partnering with a DMM.HeHe, a mobile technologies company that digitizes trade and offers service delivery. This allowed us to increase our nutrition-sensitive awareness in the Rwandan community.


WE CELEBRATED

That we are each other’s harvest: we are each other’s business: we are each other’s magnitude and bond.

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— GWEDOLYN BROOKS


Photo: Mamas prep a One Pot One Hour meal in February 2020.

GIVING THANKS This year was unlike any other. The coronavirus has transformed the way we communicate and did not allow us to celebrate our customary in-person harvest celebration. Despite all the hurdles, we were able to celebrate the year’s achievements virtually with friends near and far.


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Our Core Program


Sustainability Program

46

peer-support groups in Musanze district

community leaders gained key knowledge on health, nutrition, and agriculture

program graduates enrolled in peer-support groups

932 1,234

program graduates received nutrition-sensitive messages on their phones

4,357

children screened for malnutrition in Gasabo and Musanze districts

school-age children received hands-on nutrition learning all across Rwanda

16,084 85,000

COVID Response 10,169

mothers & partners received nutrition sensitive training

2.8+ tons

of direct food aid to 215 families

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handwashing stations established at health clinics

4,336

face masks donated



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Parenting healthy choices

eannette and Philemon are small-scale farmers in Kayanga, Rwanda. They’re also new parents. “We’re so blessed; it’s a happy adventure to raise a child.”

In December 2020, both parents graduated from GHI’s Maternal Nutrition Program. “Life is better now,” nods Jeannette, cradling 2-week old Kendra. “Every day, we prepare and eat balanced meals at home. We’re healthier now that we’ve attended trainings.” Jeannette regularly adds carrots, beets, tomatoes, and avocado to family meals, many of which are new additions in their home garden. Of course, healthy change has been a group effort. Philemon is just as eager as his partner. “I first went to trainings with my wife, and the information was helpful. It convinced me that these lessons would be good for the family, so I went to every men’s training.” At home, he supports Jeannette, putting into practice lessons on organic composting and family planning. “We want to have children we can support.” As with many families in Rwanda, COVID-19 brought hardship. The couple couldn’t work for additional income, but their garden has flourished to provide a reliable source of nutritious food. In fact, Jeannette and Philemon were so enthusiastic about their newfound knowledge, that they’re spreading the word in their community. “We’re teaching our neighbors. At first, they were surprised, but we explained everything, and now some of our neighbors have built home gardens copying these methods.” Despite tough times, the family is looking toward the future. “We wish for our baby to grow well; that’s our responsibility as parents. And for ourselves, we’ll maintain a healthy lifestyle, since we have all the knowledge and materials to achieve that.”


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Photo: Mother Didanciene overlooks her family garden with baby Alex.


2021-2023 Strategic Plan ADAPTATION We’re adapting our programs to respond to global pandemics and climate change. We’ll continue to deliver food and seed packages to affected families and review our agriculture package for climate resilience. LEARNING We’re learning from program evaluations and sharing with partners, using updated mobile data collection and engaging stakeholders online. PARTNERSHIP We’re partnering with local communities, governments, and on-the-ground experts in agriculture, health, and education. INTEGRATION We’re integrating our key trainings and messages into local systems and participating in national-level technical working groups. COMMITMENT We’re committing to local leadership, equity, and sustainability.


THANK YOU

ORGANIZATIONS Akagera National Park Amazon Smile Bon Marche Thrift Store CRI CLIF Bar Family Foundation End World Hunger Foundation

Wong Family Foundation World Food Programme INDIVIDUALS Alan Rathgeber Alexa and Peter Crowe Alyssa Palmquist

GlobeMed

Andrea Asaro

Greatergood.org

Andrew and Beth Bryan

IZUMI Foundation kate spade on purpose fund

Andrew Bryan Ann Spaulding

Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund

Anna and Ronald Thomann

New England International Donors

Anne Hafrey

Oppenheimer Foundation Rosenkranz Foundation

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The Waterloo Foundation

Anne Wanlund and Derek Brand Annie Bauer Anny Ewing

Segal Family Foundation

Archie and Nina McIntyre

Together Women Rise

Arlene Bernstein Benjamin Von Reyn


Bettina Neuefeind Bill and Joyce Fletcher Brian and Burch Ford Bruce and Terri Alpert Cecilia Yu Charles Harding Cher-Wen DeWitt Christina Campbell

Frederick and Margaret Weiss

John and Anne Louise Colman

Genevra Stone

John and Marsha Shyer

Geoffrey Morris

John Clippinger

Ginny Loeb

John Leclaire and Ruth Hodges

Grace Glenny Hal and Laurie Curtis Haley Hogan

Lorna Hogg Louise and Luke Bray Lynn Yangchana Madeleine Lord Marcia Hoffer

John Monticone

Marcia Israeloff

Joyce Mathai

Marni Clippinger

Judy Mahaffey

Mary Nutt

Julie Carney

Maximillian Greenwald

Christopher Kelsey

Heather and David Gerken

Cricket Beauregard Lewis

Helen Babcock

Katharine Newhouse

Michael Rendich

Helen Weld and Robert Strachan

Kathryn Anastos

Michele Salerno N

Kathy Weinman

ancy and John Newman

Katie Andresen

Nick Baer

Daniel and Kim Hunsberger Daniel and Mary James

Henry and Kathy Huntington

Danielle Bazinet

Hope Newhouse

Katya Redpath

Nina Stout

David Morell

Howard and Joan Gross

Kristin Finn

Norma Kuhling

Debora and Christopher Booth

Jane Gottlieb

Kristin Montgomery

Nur Farhanah Nordin

Jean Roiphe

Lani Cooper

Pamela Boll

Jeanette Perdigon

Lauren Mendell

Pamela Graber

Emily Morell

Jennifer and Ian Swope

Patricia Ribakoff

Emma Clippinger

Jennifer Markell

Leslie and Nate Levenson

Eric and Patsy Decker

Jessica Kanter

Linda Slamon

Rachel Cohen

Eric Jospe

Joan MacArthur

Eslee and Eric Samberg

Joan Sulis-Kramer

Donald and Kristin Lehmann

Frances Montgomery

Lisa and David Issroff

Phyllis Gardiner

Raymond and Maureen Lisa and Jonathan Abad Boulanger Rebecca Cohn Loretta Talios


Rebecca Eaton Rebecca Jacobsen Regina and Albert Edmonds

Timothy Pratt Wilhelm and Ingrid Neuefeind

Robert Insolia

Yolanta Siu

Samantha Davison Scheryn and Fred Pratt Scott Warren Selina and Allen Rossiter Sheffield Van Buren Sophia Bardetti Stephen and Barbara Neel Steven and Cinny Bensen

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Thomas G. Shapiro

Richard and Brenda Sharton Roberta Guthrie

THANK YOU

Thomas and Andrea Mendell

Susan and Bradford Bailey Susan and Debby Woskie Susan Price Theresa Cohen Thomas and Sonia Faletti


FINANCES



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