By Amiya Esther Keith

Esther screening a child for malnutrition during an integrated child health day hosted by Ministry of Health and supported by AfrIIi Fortportal city, Toro Subregion

Being my first time in Fort Portal, I was concerned about a lot of things, language, climate, meeting new people, working in an organisation for the first time. Putting all my anxiety aside, I embarked on my journey to Fort Portal and just as we were about to arrive, I was struck by a wave of coldness that I had never experienced before. I thought to myself “maybe the city is warmer”, not knowing that Fort Portal is nestled in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Upon arrival, I was warmly received by the Care International team and Toro AfrII team, notably Mr. Wilson Kirabira and Ms. Mirembe Winnie. I was immediately oriented to familiarize myself with the organization’s goals, objectives, thematic domains, and core activities. I was also introduced to AfrII’s structural framework and key personnel, including extension workers and Community-Based Facilitators (CBFs). Eager to make the most of every opportunity.

I was immediately initiated into diverse range of activities from conducting food demonstrations and Social Behavioural Change Communications (SBCC) campaigns in schools and markets to engaging in hands-on garden work, training agricultural extension workers and CBFs, and participating in nutrition review meetings, reporting using mWater to mention but a few. This comprehensive experience provided me with invaluable all-round learning and development. I encountered no challenges collaborating with any member of the Africa Innovations Institute (AfrII) team, thanks to a highly supportive environment that fostered both my professional growth and formative development.

Esther holding a counselling session with students of Samling Peas Kicwamba High School

I derive great fulfillment from observing young children emulate the concepts that we taught them, and I take pride in facilitating community-led initiatives that drive meaningful transformation. It is a privilege to see the smiles and transformative change that AfrII brings to communities and to be a part of the team driving that transformation is an even greater honour. AfrII champions nutritional security for women by building their capacity across the entire food cycle, from sustainable production and hygienic preparation to healthy consumption. The benefits and impact of AfrII-CASCADE is beyond measure and above all it has educated communities on the complex dynamic of nutrition which has a foundational and long-term impact. I am deeply grateful to AfrII for the opportunity to be part of the incredible team and I want to give a special thank you to Ms. Winnie Mirembe, who has been much more than a supervisor, she has been a guiding mentor and a constant source of inspiration.

Construction of Keyhole gardens (Climate Smart Agriculture) in different schools

The author served as an intern with the CASCADE project at the Africa Innovations Institute.