This is a locally produced food supplement, it’s made of chickpeas, rice and corn, and it is made by 34 vulnerable women in the capital Kabul. The different components are picked clean, roasted, milled and then mixed together. Superflour is something that can be made at home, or it can be bought in the bazaar. We enrich it with extra vitamins and minerals to help reduce some of the illnesses caused by malnutrition, but if it’s made at the home it is still a protein and carbohydrate rich meal that can help malnourished children to thrive and prosper. This simple food enables people to see that they have the ability to care for their families once they have the right knowledge, and that food does not need to be imported from outside the country for them, but enough good quality food can be grown here to feed them.
When we give training in communities to the women, we also give some superflour to them initially so that they can see that their children like the taste and so they know how to cook it. If used regularly superflour can improve the lives of children and make them well and healthy again.
All of the women who work for us are the ‘bread-winners’ in their families. Their husbands have either died, or are unable to work, and these women have to support their families. They say that they enjoy their work, and they are glad to be able to make something that will help the children of Afghanistan. They have lessons on literacy, numeracy, health and hygiene, and as a result they say that their neighbours and friends come and ask them advice.
It is hoped that in the future the women of Superflour can work as a cooperative and so they will be completely responsible for the production, marketing and sales of superflour to other organisations and to the wider community. At present we are looking at promotional opportunities for Superflour and also expanding markets to enable the women to have a sustainable livelihood, producing a food supplement that will enable Afghan children to live and thrive.
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