FTC-TIWALERE OVC PROJECT OVERCOMES UNDER FIVE MALNUTRITION CASES

By Blessings Kumwenda

Fortia CBCC in Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe in Rumphi District

Tiwalere Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Project implemented by Feed the Children (FTC) has helped to eradicate rampant cases of malnutrition in children below ages of five in the country, FTC Northern Malawi Zone Manager Chakufwa Munthali has confirmed.

According to Northern Malawi Zone Manager this has been achieved through provision of vitamin porridge flour to Community Based Child Care Centers (CBCCs) in some districts in the country.

The provision of Vitamin porridge flour falls under Food and Nutrition which is one of Tiwalere OVC project objective.

Munthali said through the program, one packet of Vitamin flour is given to one child per month.

“We provide these flours through CBCCs to children under ages of five. A packet of Vitamin porridge flour is given to one child each month,

“This has greatly improved health status of the children,” he said.

Munthali further expressed that through reports from Health Surveillance Assistants in villages where the program is being implemented there is drastic reduction of malnutrition cases in children under ages of five.

In the northern region Tiwalere OVC project is being implemented in targeted districts of Rumphi, Mzimba, Nkhata-bay and Likoma. Through the project Feed the Children (FTC) has partnered with 148 CBCCs.

Northern Malawi Zone Manager said the availability of the Vitamin porridge flour has also improved attendance levels of children in the CBCCs. It has been noted that a lot of children are now flocking to the centres. 

“Since we started supplying the Vitamin porridge flour enrollment and attendance rates have widely gone up and cases of absenteeism have reduced,” he said.

Munthali highlighted limited capacity as a major challenge encountered through implementation of the project. He said they are unable to meet larger demand for Vitamin porridge flour and only selected CBCCs are beneficiaries of the project. 

Tiwalere OVC which is a five year project started in 2010 and is expected to phase out in September 2015.

The project which is being funded by United States Agency for International development (USAID) is expected to reach out to 73051 Children in 10 targeted districts in the country both orphans and children in general.