Nutrition plays a critical role in a child’s development, yet many children—especially those with disabilities and those living in childcare facilities—still face significant barriers to receiving the nourishment they need to grow and thrive.

On 4th February 2025, Access to Health Zambia, in partnership with SPOON, conducted a dissemination meeting at Mika Kabulonga to share the findings from a study on improving nutrition and feeding for children with disabilities and those in childcare facilities in Zambia.

The event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, National Food and Nutrition Commission, and various civil society organizations. All united by the shared goal of improving nutrition for children with disabilities and those in childcare facilities or at risk of family separation.

During the event, Access to Health Zambia’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Batuke Walusiku-Mwewa, recommended the collective efforts of SPOON and key government partners, including the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and the Ministry of Health, in working towards improving the nutrition and feeding of vulnerable children.

“Every child, regardless of ability or circumstance, deserves access to adequate nutrition and care,” emphasized Mrs. Walusiku-Mwewa, calling on all stakeholders to move beyond discussions and take actionable steps toward addressing the nutrition and feeding challenges faced by children with disabilities and those in residential care. She reinforced the importance of collective responsibility to ensure no child is left behind.

Carolyn Moore, SPOON’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, echoed this urgency, emphasizing the importance of disability inclusion in nutrition programs. She highlighted Count Me In, a digital tool designed to improve nutrition and feeding services and practices for children with disabilities and those in childcare facilities.

She further urged the national trainers to utilize the “Count Me In” application to help train caregivers and healthcare professionals in overcoming feeding challenges for children with disabilities.

About the Research

The team presented the findings of the study conducted from June 2017 to August to assess the nutrition and feeding status of children with disabilities and those in childcare facilities in Zambia.

The study was carried out across 22 childcare facilities in Lusaka, Southern, Central, and Copperbelt provinces, as well as three health centers and ten community-based rehabilitation centers. A total of 397 children living in childcare facilities and 483 children with disabilities in family care were evaluated.

Among the children assessed, those under five in childcare facilities and those with disabilities were found to have significantly higher rates of undernutrition compared to national averages. Through qualitative interviews with caregivers and staff, the research also highlighted common feeding practices and systemic barriers preventing proper nutrition.

Many of the children exhibited signs of malnutrition, anemia, and stunted growth. These issues may be linked to improper feeding techniques, limited access to nutrient-rich foods, and barriers to accessing nutrition services.

These results underscored the urgent need for intervention and highlighted the importance of creating more inclusive and effective nutrition policies and programs.

The Roadmap for Action

A panel of government and civil society representatives discussed the way forward, and the event concluded with a roadmap for action to:

• Prioritize children with disabilities and children without family care in nutrition strategies.
• Scale up training and tools like ‘Count Me In’ to ensure no child is left behind.
• Strengthen the support systems around children to improve their nutrition and feeding.
• Expand data collection and research to continually monitor and address nutrition challenges.

The event was not just a dissemination of research findings and an exchange of ideas; it’s a call to action—a reminder that behind every statistic is a child whose future depends on the decisions made today. Access to Health Zambia and SPOON reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of their circumstances, receives the nourishment they need to grow and thrive.

Through this partnership, we are working together to create a more inclusive, impactful approach to child nutrition in Zambia.

For more information on the research and findings, click on the presentation attached.

We believe in human dignity, respect, and equality for all. Unfortunately, far too many of the world’s women and girls are likely to experience lack of healthcare, gender-based discrimination and even violence.

One of these women is Cindy,* a trained A2HealthZ-champion of change in Zambia. Cindy is on a journey to share empowering messages of gender-equality. She makes daily sacrifices, traveling by foot to support her neighbors near and far. Cindy’s commitment to equality is transforming lives. “I won’t rest,” says Cindy, “until I have contributed to healthy gender relationships.” Cindy’s passion for her calling is inspired by her own life experience. She and her husband once struggled in a relationship that, because of gender norms, wasn’t equal. Then the couple started participating in an A2HealthZ-supported program designed to challenge and change inequitable gender beliefs and behaviors’. Now they have a “joyful marriage,” says Cindy, based on mutual dignity, respect, and equality.

As an A2HealthZ-trained community champion of gender issues, Cindy gives back by bringing joy to others. She encourages gender-related conversations among community members, stands up against gender-based violence, and advocates for positive social change.

During Lent, we share one journey. On this International Women’s Day and beyond, let us open our hearts to the sacrifices of champions like Cindy and embrace the fight for equity. Your continued support helps Cindy remain steadfast on her journey.

With you, Cindy is building a more equitable world for us—and the next generation of change makers.

*Name omitted for confidentiality.

Muyunda, a respected leader in his rural community of Zambia, knows first-hand how critical well-trained and equipped community health workers are in sharing the promise of health.

Seeking dignified healthcare is a burden for Muyunda and his neighbours who live in a remote, rural area in Zambia without sufficient healthcare resources. If a child falls ill, many of us could simply drive a short distance to a trusted health facility. But for a mother in Muyunda’s community, a trip to the hospital might require a day’s journey on foot or, if they can afford it, a bumpy ride in the back of an oxcart.

Because of this reality, Muyunda has seen illnesses caused by contaminated water, malnutrition, and malaria take the lives of far too many people, especially children.

CHANGE BEGINS WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS

A day in the life of a community health worker is usually spent on the road, traveling from home to home to deliver lifesaving care to neighbours near and far. Trained and equipped by A2HealthZ they build trust with the families they support, carrying with them basic but lifesaving tools like malaria test kits and specialized armbands to measure for malnutrition. Sometimes community health workers travel by foot, which limits the number of people they can reach. That’s why the gift of a bicycle is so important. With a bicycle, community health workers can travel farther and faster.

With a bicycle, community health workers save more lives.

Community health workers also host regular health clinics where families are invited to join them for wellness checks and knowledge sharing. It was at one of these special gatherings where we met community leader Muyunda.

Muyunda had spent the day observing community health workers Mike and Mwaka weigh children and check for signs of malnutrition. He saw them put their A2HealthZ training and equipment to use, assessing and administering malaria tests when necessary.

“We used to have a lot of malaria in our community,” reflected Muyunda. “But A2HealthZ and the Ministry of Health have helped us, and the malaria has gone down.”

Later the mothers joined together, some sitting on colourful blankets and others perched on a long tree trunk. Their attention was focused on Mike and Mwaka as they shared important ways to protect the health of their little children at home.

Before the day ended, Muyunda shared, “May God bless A2HealthZ for the help they bring the communities.”

Muyunda finds comfort knowing that community health workers Mike and Mwaka will continue serving the children and families they met today during future home visits. The health and wellbeing of his community depends on it—now and for generations to come.