Rachael Ikimpaye, 7, looks withered and emaciated.  She is a pupil of Mpanga Primary School, located in Birembo village, in Mukingo sector, Nyanza District of Southern Province. Her state of being however has greatly improved, compared to where she was only three months ago.

Until recently, she was a victim of malnutrition. Her tiny body, however, is gradually gaining signs of normalcy and will soon blossom into a budding healthy child. In Primary one, Rachael says that at home, they could hardly afford a meal. "And when we had one, it was too little that left our appetite and hunger only scratched on the surface,” she says, with her formerly sunken eyes now gaining healthy looks.

And she had to start attending school. Whether the parents are poor or not, primary education in Rwanda is free and compulsory. That is how she found herself enrolled in Mpanga Primary School, despite her parents’ excruciating poverty.

"She was brought in here when her appearance was very inelegant. Her skinny body, the brown almost blown-off hair and almost snow-white eyes were a telling register of a child at the verge of death,” recalls Gatabazi Zabulon, the headmaster of Mpanga Primary.

"Surely, there is little we could do about it. We only advised the parents to fortify the foods they give her, to ensure that she becomes a healthy child. Every inch of her body was exuding kwashiorkor symptoms,” Gatabazi adds.
 
But then towards the end of 2010, ActionAid Rwanda, who as well sponsored the construction of Mpanga Primary School, came to the rescue of Rachael health, along with others that were in her ilk.

"ActionAid sponsored us to buy two Friesian cows. We bought one at RwF600,000 and another at RwF445,000.

We immediately put her and other eight malnourished children on milk diet on a daily basis. Four children take milk in the morning and five in the evening.

The number of malnourished children keeps on dropping,” says Gatabazi.

From the two cows, the school gets about seventeen liters per day.

"We use half of the milk produced to feed the children, and sell off the rest to enable us buy veterinary drugs.  We use some of the money to fill the gaps in school requirements, as the need may so arise,” enthuses the headmaster.

The school management today works with the Community Health Workers to educate parents about the basics of proper feeding and nutrition practices in Mukingo Sector.

"We advise parents to feed their children on soya, vegetables, fruits and milk for those who can afford it. These cows are 3 months pregnant, and when they calf, the advantages gained will multiply and permeate further,” Gatabazi emphasizes, adding "Today, we are capable of getting fertlisers for the school garden, and when kids are well fed, their rate of grasping class-work also improves.

So we are very grateful to ActionAid, who as well sponsored the building of this cowshed.”And on the day we visit, six children are found taking a cup of milk each, with luxuriant smiles written on their faces.

One of them, after savoring his cup of milk with almost revised calmness, says with pride and satisfaction, "Amata araryoshe,” meaning "milk is delicious.”

Ends