The main project is the prevention of chronic malnutrition in children under 10 (with particular interest for children under 5) in South Kivu through:
- The distribution (in nutritional supplementation units) of biscuits enriched with leaf extracts, very rich in proteins.
- Nutrition education through a door-to-door approach (through our community relays) and through our information, awareness and health education programs on radio.
- Empowerment of rural women in agricultural cooperatives where agriculture and livestock farming are promoted. We make outreach of the cowpeas crops that were so far not very well known in South Kivu. The other crops on which the women of our cooperatives work are: corn, soy, sorghum, rice and moringa.
The production of leaf extracts in South Kivu is an innovation of Kesho Kongo.
According to UNICEF (2016 Report), the chronic malnutrition rate in South Kivu is 53%, a real scourge. To fight this scourge, we propose local and sustainable solutions !
A child whose regular diet contains leaf extracts of cowpea and/or moringa cannot develop malnutrition by protein deficiency. Leaf extracts of cowpeas are also very beneficial for breastfeeding mothers.
Cases of malnutrition for which the Kesho Kongo is involved in the search of durable solutions.
LEAF EXTRACTION PROCESS
Step 1: the high protein leaves are washed before being grinded
Step 2: the leaves of the high protein plants (cowpea) are crushed
Step 3: crushed leaves are collected in a clean container
Step 4: pressing the crushed leaves packed in a clean cloth
Step 5: The green juice is collected, filtered through a colander and collected in a clean container
Step 6: heating the green juice collected after pressing: the proteins concentrate rises to the surface
The protein concentrate is put in the solar dryer.
The leaf extracts are used to enrich the biscuits and/or added in the porridge for the children meal...
The waste of the crushed and pressed leaves are used to feed the livestock (photo below). 
Deutsche Welle (a German radio) took an interest in our work and came to Bukavu to make a show about our commitment to fighting malnutrition. From the 1st to the 5th minute of this show, the Deutsche Welle looks at our work (the broadcast is in French):
http://www.dw.com/fr/des-extraits-foliaires-pour-lutter-contre-la-malnutrition/av-43150010
NUTRITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF COWPEA
a) Raw cowpea (standard value of 100 grams)
|
Nutritional valuee |
per serving |
% DV * |
|
Caloric value |
44 kcal 185 kJ |
2,2 % |
|
Lipids |
0,3 g |
0,5 % |
|
Saturated fats |
< 0,1 g |
0,4 % |
|
Monounsaturated fats |
< 0,1 g |
< 0,1 % |
|
Polyunsaturated fat |
0,1 g |
0,8 % |
|
Carbohydrates |
9,5 g |
3,5 % |
|
Sugar |
5,0 g |
10,1 % |
|
Protein |
3,3 g |
4,5 % |
|
Alimentary fiber |
3,3 g |
1,1 % |
|
Cholesterol |
0,0 mg |
0,0 % |
|
Sodium |
< 0,1 g |
< 0,1 % |
|
Water |
86,0 g |
4,3 % |
|
Vitamins |
per serving |
% DV |
|
Vitamin A |
0,0 mg |
0,0 % |
|
Vitamin B1 |
0,1 mg |
13,6 % |
|
Vitamin B11 |
< 0,1 mg |
13,2 % |
|
Vitamin B12 |
0,0 mg |
0,0 % |
|
Vitamin B2 |
0,1 mg |
10,0 % |
|
Vitamin B3 |
1,2 mg |
7,5 % |
|
Vitamin B5 |
0,9 mg |
15,8 % |
|
Vitamin B6 |
0,2 mg |
12,4 % |
|
Vitamin C |
33,0 mg |
41,3 % |
|
Vitamin D |
0,0 mg |
0,0 % |
|
Vitamin E |
0,5 mg |
4,1 % |
|
Vitamin K |
< 0,1 mg |
< 0,1 % |
|
Mineral |
per serving |
% DV |
|
Calcium |
65,0 mg |
6,5 % |
|
Copper |
0,1 mg |
10,0 % |
|
iron |
1,0 mg |
6,7 % |
|
Magnesium |
58,0 mg |
19,3 % |
|
Manganese |
0,3 mg |
15,4 % |
|
Phosphorus |
65,0 mg |
9,3 % |
|
Potassium |
215,0 mg |
10,8 % |
|
Selenium |
< 0,1 mg |
3,0 % |
|
Zinc |
0,3 mg |
4,9 % |
b) Cooked cowpea (standard value of 100 grams)
|
Nutritional value |
per serving |
% DV * |
|
Caloric value |
116 kcal 486 kJ |
5,8 % |
|
Lipids |
0,5 g |
0,8 % |
|
Saturated fats |
0,1 g |
0,6 % |
|
Monounsaturated fats |
< 0,1 g |
0,2 % |
|
Polyunsaturated fat |
0,2 g |
1,5 % |
|
Carbohydrates |
20,8 g |
7,7 % |
|
Sugar |
3,3 g |
6,6 % |
|
Protein |
7,7 g |
10,6 % |
|
Alimentary fiber |
6,5 g |
2,2 % |
|
Cholesterol |
0,0 mg |
0,0 % |
|
Sodium |
0,2 g |
< 0,1 % |
|
Water |
70,0 g |
3,5 % |
|
Vitamins |
per serving |
% DV |
|
Vitamin A |
0,0 mg |
0,0 % |
|
Vitamin B1 |
0,2 mg |
18,4 % |
|
Vitamin B11 |
0,2 mg |
52,0 % |
|
Vitamin B12 |
0,0 mg |
0,0 % |
|
Vitamin B2 |
< 0,1 mg |
3,9 % |
|
Vitamin B3 |
0,5 mg |
3,1 % |
|
Vitamin B5 |
0,4 mg |
6,8 % |
|
Vitamin B6 |
0,1 mg |
7,1 % |
|
Vitamin C |
0,4 mg |
0,5 % |
|
Vitamin D |
0,0 mg |
0,0 % |
|
Vitamin E |
0,3 mg |
2,3 % |
|
Vitamin K |
< 0,1 mg |
< 0,1 % |
|
Minerals |
per serving |
% DV |
|
Calcium |
24,0 mg |
2,4 % |
|
Copper |
0,3 mg |
26,8 % |
|
Iron |
2,5 mg |
16,7 % |
|
Magnesium |
53,0 mg |
17,7 % |
|
Manganese |
0,5 mg |
23,8 % |
|
Phosphorus |
156,0 mg |
22,3 % |
|
Potassium |
278,0 mg |
13,9 % |
|
Seléeium |
< 0,1 mg |
8,3 % |
|
Zinc |
1,3 mg |
18,4 % |
Cowpea field
Leaf extracts have been proven to improve the nutritional status and health status of those who incorporate them into their diet, as shown in this scientific article done by our partners from the Association for the Promotion of Leaf Extracts in Nutrition (APEF) / France, in collaboration with Leaf for Life partners (Berea, Kentuck, USA), the University of Bristol in England and the University of Reims-Champagne-Ardenne. This article, taken over by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), concerns leaf extracts of alfalfa: https://nutrition-luzerne.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/FAO-paper-Chapter-18.pdf
BISCUITS PROCESSING
The biscuits are enriched with leaf extract and jam to enhance the taste
Some of the biscuits and other products (cowpea flour, soybean and corn) are distributed in Nutritional Supplementation Units (UNS) and another is sold to ensure self-financing and sustainability of the project.
KESHO KONGO BISCUIT DISTRIBUTION PLAN
Apart from the production of leaf extracts and the manufacture of high protein biscuits, the other pillar of our project is nutritional education.
The purpose of this nutrition education is to train mothers on food groups and how to combine them to ensure the nutritional health of their families. «Cowpea is meat of the poor».
This education is given through a "door to door" method conducted by our 150 community relays (trained trainers) scattered in the neighborhoods of the city of Bukavu and the surrounding villages. At this stage, the number of persons (family leaders) trained is 3750. The relays are equipped with a MUAC (Mid Upper Arm Circomference) for a rapid detection of chronic malnutrition, they also learn the other signs of malnutrition (acute and chronic) to be able to advise parents on the moment to drive their child in an outpatient therapeutic nutritional unit (UNTA) or in an intensive therapeutic nutritional unit (UNTI).
It is also conveyed through our news, awareness and health education programs broadcast on Bukavu's radio stations (Radio Star, Radio Maendeleo, Radio Maria). Families that have not been reached by our community relays have the opportunity to follow our radio programs.
Students from the Catholic University of Bukavu who lead health programs in collaboration with Kesho Kongo
The community relays are trained by our 5 nutritionists and our 3 volunteer doctors.
Community relays capacity building session
LIVESTOCK FARMING
In the field of livestock farming, we support 50 breeders of cows, goats, chickens, rabbits ... Our support focuses on the various training sessions organized for breeders. We advocate for breeding in stalling. This type of farming has the advantage of protecting the environment against any degradation linked to the wandering of animals. In addition, the wandering of animals is one of the sources of intra and inter-community conflicts.
In addition to training farmers and breeders, we have an agro-veterinary consulting house whose products are used for the treatment of farm animals.
Support to breeders
Agro-veterinary consulting house Kesho Kongo in Luvungi (here visited by Adam Stuart from Project Cure, Denver, Colorado, USA)
OUR AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES
Within 45 villages in our area of intervention, we promote 45 agricultural cooperatives. Here, we encourage women, whose number varies from 80 to 100 members per agricultural cooperative, to favor the cultivation of high nutritional value crops such as cowpeas, soybeans, beans, peanuts, corn, etc.
We mainly organize outreach sessions relating to the culture of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), which was previously almost unknown in South Kivu. Cowpea is an important crop because it is involved in food, allows producers to make money and provides fodder for livestock.
In addition, its high protein content helps fight against malnutrition in communities that include it in their diet.
Interestingly for farmers, cowpea is an insecticidal plant.
Seeds distributed to leaders of agricultural cooperatives
Support to agricultural cooperativesSupport to agricultural cooperatives
OTHER HEALTH ACTIVITIES
In the field of health, once a year, we organize an exchange and training seminar for midwives in the South Kivu Provincial Association of Midwives.
In addition, we do advocacy for the equipment of hospitals in South Kivu. From august 14 to 19, 2017, invited by Kesho Kongo, Adam Stuart from Project CURE (Denver, Colorado, USA) came to Bukavu to make a need assessment in terms of materials and medical supplies for the Ciriri General Hospital and the FOMULAC / Katana General Hospital. He worked with our team and the management committees of the 2 hospitals. He met the Archbishop of Bukavu, who is President of the Board of Directors of the “Bureau diocésain des ouevres médicales”, that includes the two hospitals visited by Adam Stuart.
Adam Stuart visiting Bukavu
Loading of our container in USA, shipped to Bukavu / DRC