Solutions story helps secure funding for anti-malnutrition program

A story by Rwandan journalist Annonciata Byukusenge prompted a funder of Village Kitchen, an initiative that addresses childhood malnutrition by training parents to prepare balanced meals with local food, to increase its financial support. Byukusenge shared the published story directly with Samson Desie, UNICEF Rwanda nutritionist, who was a source for the article. Desie, impressed with the finished story, told Byukusenge that UNICEF would increase its investment in Village Kitchen due to the evidence provided in the story’s reporting on the initiative’s beneficiaries, who spoke of Village Kitchen’s effectiveness at reducing malnutrition. Following this conversation, UNICEF and China announced their support for the Government of Rwanda to enhance early childhood development, which includes tackling malnutrition and stunting among children. Daniel Otunge of Science Africa, which published the story, says, “The main thing SoJo added to the reporting on the malnutrition in Rwanda was the unique response to the problem by the government and communities working together, rather than just focusing on the problem.”