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April 24, 2024

Overuse of salty bouillon cubes is commonplace in West Africa. For vulnerable families in Senegal their health is not only impacted by inadequate intake of calories, but also by a diet that is high in sodium. In the Central Senegalese region of Linguère, World Renew, with local partner Lutheran Services for Senegalese Development (SLDS), runs a community development program focused on training families on proper health and nutrition practices, supporting the establishment of vegetable gardens, and providing direct support for the most vulnerable community members, including orphans and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Binta had the opportunity to join a women’s group through the program and shares, “With this group I participated in the cooking class where we learned from SLDS how to cook vegetables like carrots, turnips, and beans without using [bouillon] cubes. With a group of women from my village I made onion sauce and seasoned it with salt and pepper. We noticed that the food tasted fresher and less dry than our usual meals.”

Binta admits that when she first joined the group many of the women were concerned that their children were underweight and malnourished. So, she says, they were not only happy to see their children enjoy the healthier recipe, but also relieved to see improvements in their children’s health. “They loved the recipe as much as we did. Since then, the physical and emotional health of many of the village children has improved. They have become healthier and more active,” Binta explains. “They preferred this food to the medicine we gave them to treat their malnutrition. When the women went to the clinic to weigh their underweight children after the training, they were told they were healthy and of a good weight.”

Binta and the other women share the recipe with others in their community. “We believe that cooking classes should continue. We share the recipe with the women of the village when we see that their children are not eating enough or are malnourished. When they do, they find that their children are doing well, and their weight is returning to normal,” says Binta. “The women, especially the young brides who have just settled in the village, are happy and want to take part in our activities. They learn to cook better meals and become friends with other women during our meetings.”

Binta and the other members of the women’s group feel blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of the program. “We believe that of all the lessons SLDS taught us, this was the most important for us and filled our hearts with the greatest joy because no parent wants to see their child suffer from malnutrition.” says Binta. “We are grateful to the SLDS team, World Renew, and the donors for the great results we are currently achieving through the culinary workshops. We pray that God blesses them and grants them good health and long life.”

On May 12, World Renew celebrates Women of Hope Sunday and we give praise to God for the resilient women who, through gifts like yours, have overcome trauma, poverty, and injustice. Your generosity makes it possible for World Renew and our partners to provide the training and tools women need to help their families improve their health—so they can look to the future with hope. Give now to help mother’s improve their children’s health! Please join us for Women of Hope Sunday. Support women as they support their families in the journey to flourishing.