Nearly half of all children under five in Rwanda suffer from chronic malnutrition, while more than one in four is underweight. Food insecurity remains a major threat, and almost a quarter of all households (2.2 million people) are food insecure. Community health centers in Rwanda -- the main source of primary health care -- have enormous potential to act as hubs for nutrition education, programming, and inputs. 

Through this project, the Access Project will transform the average rural health center into a hub for growth and nutrition improvement. By planting an orchard of fast-growing fruit trees at each of the 19 rural health centers in Gakenke district, health center staff will be able to use the on-site vitamin-rich fruits to improve patient nourishment, encourage home gardens, complement nutrition demonstrations, and generate income for the facility to grow.

(Photo credit: Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin)