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Burundi's Mamans Lumières Illuminate Path to Child Nutrition
FrontLines - September 2009
Muyinga Province, Burundi—Every month, Thérèse Nizigiyimana, 43, a mother of six, teaches other mothers about reducing childhood
malnutrition. She is a Mama Lumière, French for “Light Mother,” a term coined for the way these women guide others to raise well-nourished children.
With USAID support, 10 women in Muyinga province of Burundi have been trained to lead Hearth Sessions of between eight to 12 women and their children. USAID expects to train another 50 women by September.
Women in Burundi celebrate the lessons they have learned from a USAID-supported child nutrition program through dance and song.
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After the initial training, 22 of the 25 enrolled children had gained between 7 and 14 ounces each.
Previously, mothers in this community fed their children one food group a day, or even the same type of food for days. The women have begun to recognize the importance of purchasing inexpensive food such as peanuts and fish to add protein.
“We have learned about the three food groups—protein, fats, and carbohydrates—and how to mix them properly, something we didn’t know how to do before,” Nizigiyimana said. “By doing this, our children
have gained weight, have much better appetites, and are happier overall.”
Participating mothers have also assumed a larger role in the nutritive process, actively feeding their children and guaranteeing that an appropriate
combination, quality, and quantity of food is eaten.
Nyabenda Hamda, 40, described the progress of the youngest of her six children, Abdoul, aged 13 months: “Before, he had a bad appetite and general malaise, but now that I have learned how to properly mix the three food groups, he has learned to crawl. He plays with the other children and is eating all the foods he needs.”
Générose Ndikiminwe, 51, a mother of six and a Mama Lumière, said, “We want to be a model for other communities and teach them what we have learned. But to do this, we must have a sustainable system.”
Community suggestions to maintain and enhance the activity include creation of a formal association, the cultivation
of crops and livestock, and a micro-finance program.
Dr. Irénée Ndabagiye, Muyinga’s provincial medical director, suggests that linkages
with other sectors, such as agriculture, would also strengthen and expand the program.
Amy Banham wrote this article while interning with Pathfinder International.
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