News & Stories - Grow Tanzania Initiative (GTI)

Feeding the Future: Sustaining Hope Through Nutrition

This week marks another milestone in our journey to end classroom hunger. At Ugele Primary School, 96 students are now part of our school feeding program, where every child begins the day with porridge and enjoys a fortified lunch prepared from maize grown on the school farm.

26th September, 2025

Community Nutrition Awareness Campaign at Ugele Primary School

Recently, Grow Tanzania Initiative (GTI) joined the Iringa Regional Government, the School Feeding Committee, and parents at Ugele Primary School in Mkimbizi Ward for a community nutrition awareness campaign.
GTI runs a School Feeding Program at Ugele, benefiting about 96 students who now enjoy nutritious meals that keep them healthy, active, and ready to learn.

6th October, 2025

Nutrition Assessment Highlights Progress of School Feeding Program at Ugele Primary School”

Iringa Municipal Nutrition Officer Mr. Clausi Kayombo is conducting a nutrition assessment for students at Ugele Primary School. This important exercise helps track the progress of children’s health since the introduction of the school feeding program where every day begins with porridge and continues with a fortified lunch.
The results will guide us in strengthening the program further and ensuring that children not only attend school but also thrive in both health and learning.

24th September, 2025

Parents Embrace School Feeding Program, Boosting Nutrition at Ugele Primary School

A parent from Ugele Primary School shares a testimony on how the School Feeding Program has greatly improved the health and well-being of students. The parent also explains how the vegetable seedlings distributed by the Community Development Officer from Mkimbizi Ward inspired families to start home vegetable gardens, ensuring a steady supply of nutritious food for their children both at school and at home. GTI continues to promote the active inclusion of parents as key participants in the School Feeding Program, fostering community ownership and sustainability.

9th October , 2025

Significant Improvement in Children’s Nutrition at Ugele Primary School

As part of the final evaluation of the School Feeding Program, a Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) assessment was carried out to measure the nutritional progress of pupils at Ugele Primary School in Mkimbizi Ward, Iringa. The results show significant improvements in children’s health and nutrition. The percentage of pupils with good nutritional status increased from 41% to 77%, a 36-percentage-point gain. Meanwhile, cases of moderate malnutrition decreased from 49% to 22%, and severe malnutrition dropped sharply from 10% to just 1%. These results demonstrate the positive and lasting effects of the School Feeding Program in enhancing health, learning capacity, and overall well-being among students at Ugele Primary School.

21st October, 2025

Growing Nutrition, One Garden at a Time

At Ugele Primary School, the integration of school and home gardening has become a cornerstone in promoting better nutrition and community empowerment. These efforts not only ensure access to healthy meals for pupils but also strengthen the spirit of collaboration among parents, teachers, and local leaders. As the program moves forward, enhancing both school and household gardens remains a key priority. Through this initiative, Grow Tanzania Initiative (GTI) aims to empower families across Mkimbizi Ward, particularly those from Ugele, to cultivate nutritious food at home, fostering a sustainable source of nourishment for children both in school and within their households.

24th October, 2025