Combined Sexual and reproductive health and Nutrition preparedness for girls and children at risk in a crisis.
Provide at risk adolescents with nutrition, sexual and reproductive health services to reduce pregnancy related problems and maternal deaths
Written by Simba Makuvaza
What specific problem(s) are you trying to address?
Most of Zimbabwe 3 120 000 adolescents in school leave in rural areas and have never had access to advice and information on nutrition and sexual and reproductive health in their life time and make uninformed choices. While most girls are uninformed Anemia remains the lead cause of reproductive health problems and Disability in adolescent girls, reducing the ability of girls and women to grow, learn, earn and lead. Unknown to girls Malnutrition in pregnancy, especially high-risk adolescent pregnancies lead to low birth weight and stunting, and increased risk of mother and child death. Estimated 161,105 children die before their fifth birthday (UNICEF). Early Pregnancy and childbirth leading causes of death for women age 15-19.What are some of your unanswered questions about the problem(s) you are working to address?
How best to integrate nutrition into family planning programs, to achieve healthier pregnancies and birth outcomes, and reduce rates of stunting, wasting, and child, infant and maternal mortality. How to integrate family planning into nutrition to reduce health risks posed to both mother and child, in addition to the long-term impacts of early pregnancy.How to ensure family planning programs are adhered to for birth spacing, providing a critical window for mothers to rebuild depleted nutritionExplain Your Idea
Name the three most important ways that your idea will address your identified problem(s).
1.The idea link at risk girls and boys and the community with doctors and nutritionist who advice and inform on nutrition, sexual and reproductive health freely that help them make informed decisions on how early sexual engagement and pregnancies affect the entire life and potentially reduce early pregnancies. 2.In the event that girls are exposed to unplanned pregnancies and STIs, they are informed ahead of time to seek help and how to cope. 3.The clubs will Reach out to community women key decision makers through fairs on nutrition, sexual and reproductive health. The Idea inform girls on risk of adolescent pregnancies and malnutrition that lead to low birth weight and stunting and increase the risk of death for both mother and child.How is your idea unique?
With our committed staff working with Voluntary doctors and nutritionist Nutrigain will succeed to be the first organisation to bring unique adolescents focused nutrition, sexual and reproductive health Expert services to rural areas through schools for free. Adolescents have a unique opportunity to interact and get expert services on nutrition, sexual and reproductive health from voluntary young Doctors and Nutritionist. NSRHEC set up in schools empower girls and also boys that would have greater influence in setting new cultural standards integrating nutrition, sexual and reproductive health and family planning standards taught later in life. Girls and boys participation result in better learning outcomes. Adolescents will take the lead and demonstrate unique knowledge in solving their own problems and that of the community in crisis through fairs and competitions. Adolescents learn practical skills on how to construct modernised solar driers to preserve micronutrients and food loss.What are some outstanding concerns or questions that you have regarding your idea?
Children have different learning cognitive levels others learn fast and others learn better through different media from the ones proposed in the idea and the challenge is that a small section of young boys and girls might miss out on the learning platform established and we will be looking on how best to exhaust all learning methods possible to reach out to all. The girls who do not attend school might be left out major worry being that of child headed families who could miss public events.Who are your end users?
Estimated 3,120,000 Adolescents 8-18 years are enrolled in primary and secondary schools in Zimbabwe. Starting in Gokwe project target to reach at least 10 000 adolescents mostly across Zimbabwe rural areas through active participation in (NSRHEC) resource centres that educate and empower adolescents who are critically in need of nutrition, sexual and Reproductive health services and information. 200 NSRHEC will be set up in 10 provinces of the country with priority given to rural areas. The Project can reach over 2 000 000 adolescents in need of nutrition, sexual and reproductive health services and information in schools who are likely to have direct contact with activities of NSRHEC in both rural and urban areas.Where will your idea be implemented?
- Zimbabwe
What is the primary type of emergency setting where your innovation would operate?
- Extreme drought
- Epidemic
- Community at risk of disaster
- Other
Tell us more about the emergency setting that you intend to implement in
Research show Zimbabwe 25% of 15–19-year-old girls started childbearing; one-third of all births to adolescents are unplanned. Teenage girls are forced to marry and give birth Early in rural than in urban areas (16% vs. 8%) attributed to poverty as unemployment is at 95%.Teenage marriage means early motherhood, traditional values call for newly married women to solidify their union.Malnutrition related stunting, low birth weight a serious challenge increasing risk of mother and child death.What is your organization's name?
Nutrigain TrustTell us more about you.
The Nutrigain Trust is a registered Organisation within Zimbabwean Law.The Trust works with associate nutritionists,Health professionals, research students in nutrition and food science and food scientist on voluntary basis who contribute to nutrition programs and response design. Beginning 2017, the Nutrigain has engaged into direct solicitation of funds to strengthen its direct impact health and nutrition projects based on identified need. Nutrigain Trust was founded by Simbarashe Makuvaza and Itai Chipadze. The day to day operations remain in the control of Simbarashe Makuvaza: (Project management and Accounting Expert) Head of Projects, Joe Mukwidigwi a Post-Harvest technology expert and associate. Rumbi Mawoza- Nutritionist.Organizational Characteristics
- Youth-led organization
What is the current scale of your proposed innovation?
- Community - 1+ communities within 1 country
Experience in Implementation Country(ies)
- Yes, for more than one year.
Expertise in Sector
- Yes, for more than a year.
Organization Location
Harare, zimbabweWhat is your organizational status?
- Registered non-profit, charity, NGO, or community-based organization.
What is the maturity of your innovation?
- Existing Prototype or Pilot: Tested a part of my solution with users and am iterating.
Written by
This inspired (1)
4 comments
Join the conversation:
CommentEunice Kajala
Simba Makuvaza
Eunice Kajala
Simba Makuvaza