Jacqueline joined Gardens for Health International (GHI) in 2011 because her son, Habufite, weighed only seven kilograms at five years old. Before joining GHI, Jacqueline struggled with depression, which she says effected her ability to care for her children. Through the GHI training on mental health, Jacqueline learned that she was not alone in her feelings of sadness and discovered new ways to fight them. GHI created a community for her to join and she now has many friends she can rely on and talk to when she needs help.

Habufite is now 8 years old and has gained 13 kilograms. He is no longer malnourished and is in the first grade at his local primary school. His favorite subjects are Kinyarwanda, a dialect of the Rwanda-Rundi language, and Math.

Located in the Gasabo District of Rwanda, GHI offers gardening kits and nutrition education to families in need so they can work towards better food security and overall health.

Veneranda joined Gardens for Health International (GHI) because her daughter, Alphonsine, weighed only six kilograms despite being two years old. Veneranda credits GHI for turning her daughter’s health around. She says that, before attending GHI’s trainings, she thought the traditional healer was the best option to help her daughter when she was sick. After the training on traditional healing, Veneranda learned that getting Alphonsine to the health center when she is sick will aid in her speedy recovery. Since January, Alphonsine has gained five kilograms!

Located in the Gasabo District of Rwanda, GHI offers gardening kits and nutrition education to families in need so they can work towards better food security and overall health.

Thank you all for supporting Gardens for Health so we could teach Veneranda that there are other options than seeking treatment from a traditional healer when her family is sick.

Jeanet joined Gardens for Health International (GHI) because her daughter, Beneda, weighed only four and a half kilograms at eighteen months old. Before attending GHI’s health and nutrition trainings, Jeanet did not know about the health and nutritional benefits of breastfeeding. She learned that by supplementing Beneda’s diet with breast milk, she could help speed weight gain and overall nutritional health for her young child. Since January, Beneda has gained four kilos and is no longer malnourished!

Located in the Gasabo District of Rwanda, GHI offers gardening kits and nutrition education to families in need so they can work towards better food security and overall health.

Thank you, Sean and the Green Street Foundation, for supporting Gardens for Health and helping Jeanet learn about proper nutrition for her children.

Sandrine joined Gardens for Health International (GHI) because her 18 month old daughter, Carine, was malnourished. At eight and a half kilograms, Carine was always sick and rarely slept. After being referred to GHI’s health and nutrition program by the health center, Sandrine learned that she had the power to make her child healthier by following a few simple steps: feeding her child balanced meals, purifying their drinking water, and sleeping in a bed net so as to protect her family from malaria. Carine has since gained two kilograms and is sleeping much more soundly.

Located in the Gasabo District of Rwanda, GHI offers gardening kits and nutrition education to families in need so they can work towards better food security and overall health.

Thank you, Daniel and Green Street Foundation, for supporting Gardens for Health, Sandrine and her daughter, Carine, in the fight against malnutrition.

Claudine joined Gardens for Health International (GHI) because her son, Janvier, weighed only eight kilograms at two years old. Claudine realized that if she did not learn the causes and treatment to Janvier’s malnutrition, her three other kids could become malnourished as well.

When she attended her first GHI training in January, she knew very little about what it means to serve a balanced meal. Now that she has been given a cooking demonstration by the GHI health educators and knows to put at least “four colors” on her child’s plate per meal, each of her four children are growing in a healthy and sustained way. The best part: Janvier has gained three kilos and is no longer malnourished!

Located in the Gasabo District of Rwanda, GHI offers gardening kits and nutrition education to families in need so they can work towards better food security and overall health.

Thank you Theresa, Cade Ruffing, Hillary, Caroline, Stacie, Anne, Colin, and Love for supporting Claudine to learn how to cook healthy meals that will keep her whole family healthy and happy.

Bonfride joined Gardens for Health International (GHI) because her daughter, Janette, weighed only six kilograms despite being two years old. Before joining GHI’s health and agricultural program, Bonfride did not know that the water she was feeding her children could be contributing to their malnutrition. After the training on the importance of water purification, Bonfride started using Sureau, cheap water purifying drops. She buys these drops at the local village store and uses them every time she cooks or offers her family a glass of water. Bonfride proudly says her children are gaining weight thanks in part to the fact the water they drink no longer makes them sick.

Located in the Gasabo District of Rwanda, GHI offers gardening kits and nutrition education to families in need so they can work towards better food security and overall health.

Thank you Julius, Arther, and Nicole for supporting Bonfride and Gardens for Health.

Dative joined Gardens for Health International (GHI) because her 7 year old daughter, Grace, was severely malnourished, weighing only 13 kg. Dative joined the GHI Health and Agricultural Training Program to learn not only how to reverse Grace’s malnutrition but to make sure she and her four siblings never become malnourished again. Dative has learned that many factors contribute to malnutrition including her being plagued by depression. After the mental health training, Dative says she shares her feelings with her neighbors and tries to sing at least once a day to help her stay happy and able to better care for her children.

Located in the Gasabo District of Rwanda, GHI offers gardening kits and nutrition education to families in need so they can work towards better food security and overall health.

Thank you all for supporting Dative and GHI!

Josiane joined Gardens for Health International (GHI) because her one year old twins were severely malnourished, weighing only six kilos. Josiane says the GHI 14-week training program helped her to understand the causes of malnutrition and that many factors contribute to the condition, not just lack of food. She now knows that she should wash her hands before cooking, purify the water her family drinks, and continue to sleep under their mosquito net so her children are at a lower risk of malaria. Josiane is now growing onions, green peppers, beets, and kale in her garden and says her four year old son, Cedric, loves to help her tend it.

Located in the Gasabo District of Rwanda, GHI offers gardening kits and nutrition education to families in need so they can work towards better food security and overall health.

Thank you Anthony, Daphne, Shelly, Brian, Annie, Emily, and Ellie for supporting Josiane and Gardens for Health!

Florencine joined Gardens for Health International (GHI) because her son, Yosua, weighed only 13 kilograms despite being 4 years of age. Florencine says that she considered the quantity of food to be more important than its quality prior to joining GHI’s health and agricultural program. Thanks to GHI’s cooking demonstration, Florencine now knows that feeding her children at least four colors per meal will help to ensure her children are receiving all the nutrients their growing bodies need. Yosua has gained two kilograms because of this!

Located in the Gasabo District of Rwanda, GHI offers gardening kits and nutrition education to families in need so they can work towards better food security and overall health.

Thank you all for supporting Florencine and Gardens for Health!

Denise joined Gardens for Health International (GHI) because her two year old daughter, Sandrine, only weighed seven kilograms. With a total of four children, Denise knew she could not afford to have and take care of any more children. Thanks to GHI’s family planning training, Denise realized she has options to control her family’s size and that all methods are free when she consults with a doctor. Thanks to your generous contributions, Denise also received a home garden. She is growing beets, carrots, and kale in her garden and is excited that she has a better understanding of how to care of her family and prevent malnutrition.

Located in the Gasabo District of Rwanda, GHI offers gardening kits and nutrition education to families in need so they can work towards better food security and overall health.

Thank you David, Peggy, Sarah, Cori, Shirin, Riki, and Laura for giving Denise the gift that keeps on giving!