At Asante Africa Foundation, we believe that unlocking every child’s potential demands more than classrooms; it requires nourished minds and bodies. This Day of the African Child, we celebrate our partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations through the Lishe Bora Campaign, a powerful example of how collaborative action can dismantle barriers to learning. By uniting expertise in nutrition and grassroots education, we’ve empowered youth to become champions of healthy diets and sustainable agriculture in Tanzania.

Together, we’ve transformed challenges like malnutrition and gender disparities into opportunities through school seminars, hands-on cooking workshops, and community-led farming demos. This alliance proves that when we address the root causes of educational inequality, like hunger and health, children don’t just attend school; they thrive there. As we honor Africa’s children today, we reaffirm our commitment to partnerships that build healthier, brighter futures one plate, one lesson, one empowered child at a time.

SUMMARY OF PARTNERSHIP

In Tanzania’s Southern Highlands and Zanzibar, where malnutrition once shadowed communities, the Lishe Bora Campaign sparked a movement. Through Asante Africa Foundation’s partnership with FAO, over 9,000 adolescents transformed from students to nutrition advocates, armed with knowledge and locally grown food.  

The campaign’s success grew from three key pillars. Classroom lessons came alive through 48 seminars across 91 schools, where Tanzania’s official Food-Based Dietary Guidelines turned textbook knowledge into practical action. Meanwhile in bustling Jiko Lishe workshops, 323 teens became kitchen scientists, mastering iron-rich recipes while school milk programs served double duty – nourishing bodies and boosting attendance. Beyond the classroom, nutrition-sensitive farming demonstrations created a powerful “field to fork” connection, showing youth how the crops they grew could become the healthy meals they prepared.  

When girls like 16-year-old Maria stood up to teach neighbors about balanced diets during Village Health Days, stereotypes crumbled. “Now boys join our cooking sessions” she laughed. Even local nutrition officers marveled at the shift, with 225 community leaders trained to sustain this growing momentum.

From colorful World Food Day events to Healthy Plate posters brightening classroom walls, every tactic was carefully tailored to Tanzania’s needs. As one teacher in Pemba noted, “This isn’t just about food, it’s about fixing futures.”  With SDG #2, #3, and #5 clearly in sight, this partnership proves that when youth lead, even stubborn challenges like stunting and gender gaps begin to fall. 

SUMMARY OF FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is a specialized UN agency founded in 1945 that works to eliminate hunger, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture worldwide. Operating in over 130 countries, FAO prioritizes several key areas of intervention. Their work in food security focuses on developing resilient farming systems and ensuring fair distribution of food resources. In nutrition they pioneer initiatives like FBDG to promote healthier eating habits. Environmental sustainability remains central to their mission through climate-smart agricultural techniques and biodiversity preservation efforts.

FAO strengthens its impact through strategic collaborations with governments, NGOs including Asante Africa Foundation and local communities. The organisation contributes significantly to achieving SDG #2, #12 and #17 through its technical expertise, data-driven monitoring frameworks and field implementation programs.