European Union Ambassador in Burundi celebrates success in fighting child malnutrition with Maman Lumière in Kayanza

Ambassador Pietrobon was received by six Maman Lumière, community role models from Kayanza province, whose efforts have been instrumental in reducing malnutrition rates within their communities. Accompanied by 36 children and their mothers who have benefitted from these initiatives over the past years, the Ambassador witnessed the impact of collaborative efforts in nurturing healthier generations.

The "EU-Burundi Caravan" is an initiative designed to engage with rural populations and local authorities in Burundi. This initiative involves a bus tour across various provinces of the country, focusing on different themes relevant to each region. These themes are linked to specific projects funded by the EU and its Member States. The goal is to foster mutual understanding, encourage dialogue, and facilitate collaboration with local stakeholders to promote sustainable and inclusive development.

Burundi faces significant challenges with child malnutrition, with 52% of children under five suffering from chronic malnutrition, according to the 2016–2017 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). 

In response to this crisis, AVSI Foundation, in partnership with the Burundian Government and funded by the European Union, implemented the Projet d’Appui à la Résilience Communautaire dans le Buyenzi (PRARECOM). This initiative has successfully reduced acute malnutrition rates among children aged 1-5 in Kayanza from 8% to 3% over the past five years.

Central to this success are the Maman Lumière, who provide essential support to families with children suffering from moderate malnutrition, offering personalized guidance on nutrition and locally available foods during 12-days sessions. Through their efforts, children typically gain between 200-250 grams, accompanied by valuable knowledge transfer on sustainable family practices. The Maman Lumière who welcomed the Ambassador were: Astérie NsengiyumvaLydia Niyintunze, Daphrose Nduwimana, Minerive Habarugira, Pascoline Sabayo and Béatrice Bucumi.

The visit not only celebrates the achievements of the Maman Lumière but also serves as a platform to exchange experiences among community members and stakeholders. It marks the launch of similar activities in Ngozi Province under the Isoko Irama project, a project also funded by the European Union under the SESA program and implemented by AVSI Foundation, with the aim to enhance rural entrepreneurship, promote the generation of value-added products, and foster employment opportunities in rural Burundi.