WHO WE ARE

THE PROBLEM

The majority of the world’s poor are farmers, yet millions are malnourished. In Rwanda, this disconnect between agriculture and nutrition is striking: 80% of families grow food for a living, yet 35% 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, since well-nourished children get sick less often, perform better in school, and are more likely to escape poverty.

ABOUT US

Our roots are in Rwanda. For over a decade, Gardens for Health International has been working hand-in-hand with local communities to end chronic 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 over 90% 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.

WHAT WE DO

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 nutritious food. We provide seeds and hands-on trainings in skills like composting, creating pesticides, and other techniques to maximize crop yields using resources readily 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 best practices in breastfeeding. 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 every factor that leads to malnutrition. In engaging trainings, full of song and dance, we educate mothers 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.