Bugesera rolls out peer-led campaign to combat child stunting

By The Inspirer.

In a fresh push to tackle child stunting, Bugesera District has launched a new initiative that empowers parents of well-nourished children to teach others how to fight malnutrition using locally available food.

The campaign, dubbed Bandebereho (Follow My Lead), is being implemented in collaboration with the National Child Development Agency (NCDA) and will initially cover eight sectors where stunting remains most severe.

The strategy relies on peer learning at the village level, where parents whose children are thriving will guide their neighbors on preparing balanced meals with limited resources.

Isaac Bikorimana, NCDA’s Child Development Officer, said the goal is to show families affected by malnutrition that it is possible to nourish children without needing large budgets.

“We’re demonstrating that with the same means, some parents are managing to raise healthy children. The Bandebereho model will allow these parents to share practical skills with their peers, right within their own communities,” he explained.

Local officials say the program is expected to bridge gaps in knowledge around nutrition, especially in rural households.

Yvette Imanishimwe, Vice Mayor of Bugesera District in charge of social affairs, praised the initiative for its community-based design.

“This approach meets parents where they are. It’s hands-on, and we believe it will lead to lasting behavior change. We call on all residents to actively support it,” she said.

According to NCDA, just 2% of Rwandan children have regular access to milk, while only 18% consume meat. Despite significant efforts, stunting remains a public health concern in Rwanda.

Bugesera District has managed to bring its stunting rate down to 26%, but officials are racing to help meet the national target of reducing child stunting to 15% by 2029.

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