Help Diminish Malnutrition in Maskeenabad

Nourishing Futures: Combating Malnutrition Among Women and Children in Maskeenabad

Project Summary

Network for Human and Social Development (NHSD) proposes a comprehensive one-year intervention to address malnutrition among vulnerable women and children in Maskeenabad, Rawalpindi. This project will combine direct nutritional support, healthcare services, awareness campaigns, and sustainable food security measures to create lasting improvements in the nutritional status of the community.

Background and Need

Maskeenabad in Misrial, Rawalpindi, is home to approximately 6,000 people, with nearly 60% living below the poverty line according to recent surveys. Our needs assessment reveals that 45% of families in this area suffer from food insecurity, with children and women bearing the greatest burden. Approximately 30% of children under 5 show signs of stunting, while 25% of pregnant and lactating women suffer from anemia and other nutrition-related health issues.

The community faces multiple challenges:

• Limited access to nutritious food due to economic constraints
• Lack of awareness about proper nutrition and feeding practices
• Insufficient healthcare facilities to address nutrition-related health problems
• Cultural barriers that prioritize male nutrition over women and children

NHSD is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through our established presence in Maskeenabad, where we currently operate various community support programs.

Project Objectives

1. Reduce malnutrition rates among children under 5 by 40% in the target community
2. Improve the nutritional status of at least 200 pregnant and lactating women
3. Establish sustainable food security measures for 150 families
4. Increase nutrition awareness and healthy practices among 500 households
5. Create a community-led nutrition monitoring and support system

Implementation Strategy

1. Nutrition Support Program (Months 1-12)

• Distribution of nutritional supplements to 300 children under 5 and 200 pregnant/lactating women
• Monthly growth monitoring for children to track improvements
• Bi-weekly nutritional counseling sessions for mothers
• Provision of fortified food packages to 150 families with malnourished members

2. Community Health Services (Months 2-12)

• Weekly mobile health clinic focusing on nutrition-related health issues
• Health screenings for 500 women and children to identify and treat nutrition-related conditions
• Treatment of malnutrition-related illnesses with appropriate medications and follow-up
• Referral system for severe cases requiring specialized care

3. Nutrition Education and Awareness (Months 1-12)

• Monthly community workshops on nutrition, hygiene, and healthy cooking practices
• Training of 20 community nutrition ambassadors (local women) to promote sustainable change
• Development and distribution of culturally appropriate nutrition education materials
• School-based nutrition education programs for children and parents

4. Sustainable Food Security Initiatives (Months 3-12)

• Establishment of 50 kitchen gardens with drought-resistant nutritious vegetables
• Poultry distribution to 100 families (5 hens per family) for sustained protein access
• Training on sustainable, low-cost food production techniques
• Formation of community food cooperatives to ensure continued access to nutritious food

Expected Outcomes and Targets

By the end of the 12-month project period, we expect to achieve:

1. Improved Child Nutrition:
   • 40% reduction in moderate to severe malnutrition among targeted children
   • 80% of monitored children showing improved growth metrics
   • 90% of children receiving regular nutritional supplements and monitoring
2. Enhanced Maternal Health:
   • 50% reduction in anemia rates among pregnant and lactating women
   • 200 women receiving regular nutritional supplements
   • 90% of pregnant women attending prenatal nutrition counseling
3. Increased Food Security:
   • 150 families with established kitchen gardens producing at least 25% of their vegetable needs
   • 100 families with sustainable protein sources through poultry
   • 30% average increase in dietary diversity scores among participating households
4. Community Capacity Building:
   • 20 trained community nutrition ambassadors actively promoting healthy practices
   • 75% of households demonstrating improved knowledge of nutrition and healthy cooking
   • Functioning community-led nutrition monitoring system with monthly reporting
5. Healthcare Access:
   • 500 women and children receiving nutrition-related health services
   • 90% of identified nutrition-related illnesses treated successfully
   • Established referral pathways for specialized nutrition care

Budget Request

We are requesting $6,000 for this one-year project, allocated as follows:

1. Nutrition Support Program: $2,400
   • Nutritional supplements and fortified foods: $1,600
   • Growth monitoring equipment and supplies: $400
   • Transportation and distribution costs: $400
2. Community Health Services: $1,200
   • Mobile clinic operation costs: $500
   • Medicines and health supplies: $400
   • Diagnostic and screening equipment: $300
3. Nutrition Education and Awareness: $900
   • Training materials and educational resources: $400
   • Community ambassador stipends: $300
   • Workshop supplies and venue costs: $200
4. Sustainable Food Security Initiatives: $1,200
   • Seeds, tools, and gardening supplies: $500
   • Poultry and feed for initial distribution: $500
   • Training and technical support: $200
5. Project Management and Administration: $300
   • Staff salaries (partial): $100
   • Monitoring and evaluation: $100
   • Administrative costs: $100

Sustainability Plan

The project is designed for long-term sustainability through:

1. Training community nutrition ambassadors who will continue education efforts
2. Establishing self-sustaining food sources through kitchen gardens and poultry
3. Creating community-led monitoring systems that will function beyond the project period
4. Building partnerships with local government health services for continued support
5. Developing a community food cooperative model that can be maintained with minimal external resources

NHSD will leverage its partnerships with La Compte for technical support in data management and monitoring, Kaus-e-Kazah Welfare Organization for educational outreach, and Reach to be Heard for psychological support to families dealing with nutrition-related stress. These strategic partnerships will enhance the project's impact while ensuring continuity of services after the project period.

NHSD will continue to provide technical support through our existing presence in Maskeenabad after the project period ends, ensuring the continuation of key activities and monitoring of outcomes.

Conclusion

The "Nourishing Futures" project represents a holistic, community-centered approach to addressing malnutrition in Maskeenabad. By combining immediate nutritional support with education, healthcare, and sustainable food production, we can create lasting improvements in the nutritional status of women and children in this vulnerable community. Our established presence in the area, combined with our experience in health, education, and community development, positions us uniquely to implement this project successfully.

We request your support to help us transform the lives of these vulnerable families and create a model for nutrition intervention that can be scaled to other communities facing similar challenges.