Community Nutrition Projects (2000 – 2010)

Background

NPCS’s parent organisation United Mission to Nepal (UMN) had been working with district health authorities throughout the 1990s to increase the nutrition knowledge of health staff and improve the health of women and children.

Following the success of these projects, we expanded our work to other districts in Nepal by partnering with other non-governmental organisations working in those districts to further the impact of our community-level nutrition activities.

During this period, our projects took place in six districts across central and western hilly regions:

• Jumla
• Dhaading
• Makwanpur
• Tanahau
• Kavre
• Lalitpur

Project outcomes

Dramatic improvements in the body weights and nutrition status of women in the programme districts

Vast majority of babies born during the programmes were fed colostrum, the highly beneficial first breastmilk

Families were supported to help their malnourished children recover within their own homes

Increased numbers of kitchen gardens, and women and children eating green leafy vegetables

Successfully distributed information about the value of local foods and how to eat a nutritious diet