Teenage motherhood in Uganda presents numerous challenges, including limited access to nutritious food, lack of parenting skills, and social stigma. In response, Bantwana, in partnership with the Kabarole Research Centre, has been implementing practical interventions to support young mothers, focusing on improving child nutrition and empowering mothers with hands-on skills.
Central to this initiative are food demonstration sessions, where teen mothers are guided in preparing diverse, nutritious meals for themselves and their children. These sessions not only teach cooking skills but also emphasize the importance of balanced diets rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals, which are essential for healthy growth and development. Mothers learn how to combine locally available ingredients into meals that are affordable, easy to prepare, and highly nutritious.
The food demonstrations cover a wide range of foods. Mothers are taught to prepare protein-rich meals using beans, eggs, fish, and small amounts of meat, alongside carbohydrate sources such as sweet potatoes, maize, and millet. They also learn to include vegetables like spinach, pumpkin leaves, and carrots, as well as fruits like bananas, pawpaw, and mangoes to provide essential vitamins. Special attention is given to incorporating iron- and calcium-rich foods, crucial for both the mother’s and the child’s health. Mothers are guided on meal planning and portioning to ensure that their children receive adequate nutrition at every stage of development.
Beyond cooking skills, these sessions create a supportive environment where teen mothers can share experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other. This peer learning approach strengthens confidence and fosters a sense of community, helping young mothers feel less isolated and more empowered in their parenting journey.
The partnership with Kabarole Research Centre has been instrumental in facilitating these sessions. The centre provides technical guidance on nutrition, supports training of facilitators, and ensures that demonstrations are evidence-based and aligned with best practices in child and maternal health. Together, Bantwana and Kabarole have reached numerous teen mothers across different communities, equipping them with skills that improve the health of both mother and child, while promoting positive parenting practices.
Mothers who have participated in the sessions report tangible benefits: children are healthier, mothers feel more confident preparing meals, and households are better able to meet their nutritional needs despite economic constraints. Many also note improvements in their children’s growth, energy levels, and overall wellbeing.
Through these initiatives, Bantwana and Kabarole Research Centre are not only addressing immediate nutritional needs but also laying the foundation for long-term health and development, helping teen mothers build brighter futures for themselves and their children.