Anaemia in pregnancy remains a critical challenge, affecting over 50% of pregnant women in Sierra Leone. In June 2025, the Mama-Pikin Foundation (MPF) supported the Masongbo Community Health Centre in Bombali District to establish a demonstration backyard garden at the facility to help improve nutritional knowledge in preparing locally sourced, iron-rich vegetables. This initiative aims to enhance the nutritional status of pregnant women and lactating mothers and train them on the importance of cultivating individual backyard gardens.
The garden serves as a source for all the leafy green vegetables prepared during the monthly Belle Uman Bato Group (BBG), a monthly support group where nurses, midwives and pregnant women prepare and eat a communal meal while reviewing important health messages. The BBG benefits about 70 pregnant and lactating women in the clinic monthly and helps improve use of the health facility for prenatal care and delivery.
At the planning stage, community participation was garnered through robust community engagement strategies in collaboration with the facility management committee, as this driver serves to ensure sustainability and community ownership.
MPF with the help of Orange Foundation supports monthly BBGs in 8 facilities in Bombali, Koinadugu, Kono, Kenema, Western Area Rural and Western Area Urban Districts.