Service Description

To improve the food security and nutritional status of the vulnerable household/communities and reduce poverty through food based approaches.

This is done to meet the following objectives of the section:

• To improve the nutritional status of women as seen by:
   -  Decreased nutritional diseases among women 
   -  Increased birth weight for infants

 

•  To improve the nutritional status of children under the   age of 5 years, as seen by 
    
    -  Lower incidence of nutritional diseases
    -  Reduced stunting 
    -  Low infant mortality and morbidity.

 

• To increase awareness among people of all age groups about nutritional issues and relevant practises as seen by:

            -  Increased knowledge of recommended nutritional practises for their own group.
            -  General awareness of different nutritional needs and relevant practises of all age groups.
            -  Improved awareness of diet and its relationship to health
            - Greater use of balanced meals
            - Improved food security at household level through provision of nutritious foods    throughout the year.

• To provide nutritional care and support for nutrient depleting and diet related health conditions, HIV/AIDS affected or infected communities.

Strategies

a) Group Discussions – This is done at community level. Those discussions are meant to find out the needs of the various communities at household and community level. The Home Economic department then seeks to find solutions for some of the needs through networking with other structures (be it Government or private sector).  

b) Demonstrations – Those demonstrations deal with mainly cookery. The communities are given skills such as food preservation and processing e.g. fruit and vegetable. 

c) Home Visits – the visits are conducted at household level. The main aim is to do situational analysis in order to develop interventional activities with the people.

d) Individual and group counselling – these counselling sessions focus on the specific needs of the person or people. Topics include HIV/AIDS issues and home management in general

e) Seminar – these are workshops targeting already identified areas of needs.

f) Campaigns – Campaigns are meant to create awareness to motivate people. For example focusing on the promotion of micro – nutrients and HIV/AIDS.

g) Field Days – Our role is to prepare display dishes related to a crop or vegetable that is being harvested at that particular time. For example, sorghum can be prepare into a variety of dishes.

h) Meetings - This is done at community level. Those meetings prod discussions that are meant to find out the needs of the various communities at household and community level. The Home Economic department then seeks to find solutions for some of the needs through networking with other structures (be it Government or private sector).  

Who applies for the service

•  Women
•  Children
•  Youth
   

How is the service obtained

• Citizen customers must present themselves to the Tinkhundla Centres where they can get   information about when meetings and workshops will be held.
• Citizens can also present themselves in the Home Economics Department in Mbabane at the Ministry of Agriculture (see contact details)
• Also listening to the radio programs that are hosted by the Home Economics Department
   

When to apply

Any time of the year as a need for the service arise.

 

How much for the service

 Currently the service is free.

 

For more information

 Please contact:

 The Department of Home Economics,

 P.O. Box 162

Mbabane

Tel.: (268) 2404 2731 Ext 2262

Fax: (268) 2404 2731

 E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Physical Address

 

The Department of Home Economics,

 Ministry of Agriculture HQ

 Corner of Engen Garage, First Building

 Opposite Swaziland Fire Station

Mbabane