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International Development and Studies

Evaluating the effectiveness of caregiver nutrition education programs for child health improvement in Uganda and Kenya Tamar Crump*, Tamar Crump, Vikram Koundinya,

This study examines how community-centered nutrition education can serve as a model for renewing development practice by shifting from service provision to capacity building. Participants of workshops conducted by the organization Lead4Tomorrow were placed in focus groups to discuss ongoing barriers related to food security and agriculture. Paper surveys were also administered to assess knowledge retention and identify desired post-program resources.

This study evaluates strategies to promote long-term sustainability of interventions without fostering prolonged reliance on the organization. This study urges organizations to intentionally embed opportunities and resources that enable communities to generate support for themselves over time. By co-constructing programming with community members and local organizations, nutrition education initiatives can strengthen local resource networks and institutional resilience.

In the scope of nutrition education, through the promotion of native food use and preservation practices, interventions can help generate shock-resistant food systems, enhance agricultural resilience, and contribute to the prevention of child stunting. This approach increases food affordability and accessibility in rural regions while embedding local knowledge within development solutions. The findings emphasize the importance of moving beyond aid dependency towards models of development that cultivate community-led nutritional and economic growth.