Porridge Initiative Strengthens Community Health in Jali Sector

 Rainbow Rwanda Ltd , Produces new Food Products to combat Malnutrition 

By: MKUR Students 

  Rainbow Worker displaying Monti porridge .  (Courtesy of Rainbow Health ltd)

 A community health push in Jali Sector is gaining momentum as fortified porridge becomes a central tool in the fight against child malnutrition, anemia, and poor dietary intake among vulnerable households. The initiative, supported by Rainbow Health Food Ltd, is steadily reshaping local health outcomes and is encouraging  families to rethink nutrition practices.

 In  the sector malnutrition particularly iron deficiency and stunting  remains one of the most persistent public health challenges. Although Jali is a growing urban area, many households still rely on basic, unfortified porridge lacking essential nutrients needed for young children.

To address this ,Rain bow Health Rwanda ltd and distribution teams have increased circulation of Monti Composite Flour, a fortified porridge made from roasted maize, soybeans, millet, high-iron beans, and groundnuts. The products are designed to boost iron levels, improve immunity, and support  development in children under five.

 Delivery teams offload bags of Monti flour at the Jali trading centers , where the health outreach began. Kirenga Pascal, a distribution worker for the company , said the initiative is not just about food distribution but a support to the sector’s public-health campaign.

“This is health work as much as it is logistics,” Kirenga said. “When a child gets the nutrients they need, their immunity strengthens."

Rainbow Health Ltd workers giving  out their products in an Outreach program 

 Health workers report similar observations in households. Uwamahoro Gaudence, who conducts nutrition education sessions across Jali, said many mothers are now connecting nutrition with overall health ,

“Some parents used to think a full stomach meant a healthy child,” she said. “But a child can eat every day and still be malnourished. Once we explain that fortified porridge supports blood health and growth, they start taking it seriously.”

The programme’s health component extends to group organizations, where members  say the daily porridge routine has led to fewer complaints of dizziness, tiredness, and lack of concentration among young children , and that  iron deficiency anemia has reduced.

Behind the scenes, the ingredients powering this health turnaround come from Rwanda’s smallholder farmers. Rainbow Health Food Ltd trains farmer cooperatives on best agricultural practices and purchases their harvests for flour production.

Ishimwe Chris, who works with the Company , said the link between agriculture and community health is becoming clearer.

“Good health starts with good food,” he said. “Farmers understand that what they grow is directly contributing to reducing malnutrition in communities like Jali.”

At the Jali health post, the public-health angle is even more explicit. Every Thursday, mothers gather for nutrition education sessions led by community health workers. During a recent session, Mutesi Justine, a nutrition facilitator, held up a tin of Monti Super Composite porridge Flour  

“Low iron levels weaken children’s immunity and slow their growth,” Mutesi explained. “We recommend fortified porridge because it fills nutritional gaps that normal diets cannot.”

She added that families using the fortified porridge consistently report improved weight gain, better appetite, and fewer clinic visits for nutrition-related illnesses.

 While the numbers remain a concern, health workers say the downward trend signals that community based nutrition interventions are effective.

Still, challenges remain. Some households cannot afford regular purchases of fortified flour, and misconceptions about fortified foods linger in certain villages. Outreach teams continue to combat misinformation through home visits, cooking demonstrations, and group discussions.

Despite these challenges  health workers say the shift in perception is unmistakable.

“Parents are beginning to understand that nutrition is a health priority, not a luxury,” Uwamahoro said.

Kirenga loaded the last sacks of porridge onto a motorbike for delivery to remote homes.

Rainbow Health Worker enjoying food and advertising  the companies products (Courtesy of Rainbow Health ltd)

For Jali Sector, and Rwanda fortified porridge  has become a frontline health intervention, quietly strengthening families one cup at a time.