By John Kelly Marah
Agro for Community Development and Empowerment – Sierra Leone (ACDE-SL), in collaboration with Right to Development Inc. (R2D), USA, has launched a major initiative in the Thunder Hill community to tackle malnutrition among lactating and pregnant women in Sierra Leone.
The training, held on Friday, October 17, 2025, brought together more than a hundred breastfeeding mothers to gain practical knowledge on the preparation of Benni-mix—a locally made, nutrient-rich porridge designed to combat child malnutrition.
The main objective of the training was to empower lactating and expectant mothers with hands-on skills in preparing nutritious baby food using affordable, locally available ingredients. The initiative aims to promote sustainable feeding practices that ensure every Sierra Leonean child grows healthy and strong.
According to Mr. Patrick H. Makaya, Chairman of the Board of Right to Development Inc., the organization’s leadership comprises Sierra Leoneans living abroad, including Dr. Conteh (U.S. representative), Bilkisu (Germany representative), and Josephine.
Makaya explained that both ACDE-SL and R2D focus on key development areas such as health, agriculture, climate change, sanitation, and women’s empowerment. He emphasized that this year’s focus is on maternal healthcare—particularly nutrition—as part of their commitment to supporting mothers in building a healthy foundation for their children.
“We choose Benni-mix because it is simple, local, and effective.
The ingredients—rice, sesame seeds (benni), fish, beans, and sugar—are all produced in Sierra Leone and can easily be found in community markets,” Makaya said.
Benni-mix is a locally produced porridge made from sesame seeds, rice, beans, and fish, offering an affordable and nutritious supplement for infants and young children. It provides essential energy and nutrients to help reduce child malnutrition.
Haja Bilkisu Conteh, Secretary of Right to Development, highlighted that Thunder Hill was chosen for the campaign due to the high number of children at risk of malnutrition in the area.
“Our goal is to teach mothers simple, cost-effective ways to prepare nutritious meals. When women are empowered with knowledge, the entire community benefits,” she said.
This community-driven initiative marks a significant step toward achieving Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and improving maternal and child health across Sierra Leone — one mother, one child at a time.
