People living in remote Obongi, Uganda had access to healthy food right under their noses – or rather, above their heads – but they didn’t know it until mission partner Heather Sharland made the effort to visit them.
Nestled on the banks of the Nile, Obongi residents’ diet consists mainly of fish and cassava, with no vegetables. “The women were saying they would like to cook and eat vegetables, but they are difficult to grow,” Heather said. “We looked around and saw many Moringa trees growing tall with many leaves.”
Heather explained that Moringa leaves are full of minerals and vitamins and showed the women how to pluck, strip and cook the leaves.
“They were amazed at how good it tasted and rejoiced that they could have vegetables even in the dry season and at no cost.
"We gave them seeds and encouraged them to plant young Moringa trees near their home as soon as the rain comes."
This visit marked the first time anyone from the diocese had visited Obongi in five years, Heather explained.
The reason for the journey was to conduct a Healthy Homes, Healthy Families (HHHF) seminar, part of the Diocese of Arua’s community health programme.
More than 590 families have benefitted from 11 of these seminars, which have been held across 10 archdeaconries.
“As well as physical topics like sanitation, nutrition and first aid, we cover spiritual topics – family devotional time, reading the Bible, Heather said.
Seeing the impact these seminars are making, many church leaders are asking for HHHF training.
“It has been tiring travelling so much,” Heather admitted, yet she says, “It’s wonderful to come alongside people and encourage them to use the wonderful resources that God has given to us!”