In Kabusunzu Village, Bugarama Sector, something good is happening. One month ago, on May 17, 2025, AEE Rwanda and partners completed 12 days of teaching parents how to fight malnutrition using the Positive Deviance (PD) Hearth model. This program helped 12 families with malnourished children under five in a specific community hearth. During the sessions, parents learned how to cook balanced meals using local food, improve hygiene, and feed their children better. By the end of the 12 days, all 12 children had gained weight and improved.

Now, 30 days later, on June 16, 2025, the team returned to visit the families again. They wanted to see if the children were still improving and if the families were still using what they learned.

The follow-up visit brought great news. All 12 children had continued gaining weight. Each child gained at least 400 grams or more, which is more than the goal set during the PD Heart. The children were active, smiling, and healthy. Parents said their children now eat better, sleep better, and play more.

Even better, three other children from nearby families also started to gain weight according to their caregivers. Their families had not joined the PD Hearth officially, but they watched what others were doing and started cooking the same way. This shows that change is spreading in the community.

The team also saw that families were still using handwashing stations and cooking clean food. Mothers were confident, and some fathers were helping more at home. Parents said they now understand the importance of feeding, hygiene, and care.

One mother said, “Even after the 12 days ended, we didn’t stop. We now cook together and remind each other why these things matter.”

The 30-day visit showed that the PD Hearth didn’t just help for a short time. It helped families make long-lasting changes. Now, the Kabusunzu community is stronger, and more children are on the path to good health.