ABOUT US
Welcome to Asante Children and Food Initiative (Home page) and About Us (Who we are page)
We aim to create a future where every child in Uganda has access to adequate and nutritious food, leading to improved health, well-being, and opportunities for holistic development, fostering a resilient and self- sufficient community.
In the heart of Uganda, where the laughter of children should echo through classrooms and fields, hunger and malnutrition have become quiet thieves, robbing thousands of their potential, their energy, and their dreams. At Asante Children and Food Initiative (ACFI), we believe that no child should ever sit in a classroom with an empty stomach or grow up stunted by the pain of chronic malnutrition. That belief is where our story begins.
Our Story
ACFI was born out of a simple but powerful realization: children cannot learn, grow, or dream on an empty stomach. Our founders, educators, parents, and community leaders witnessed firsthand the heartbreaking impact of hunger on children in rural and low-income areas of Uganda. Children arrived at school without having eaten, struggled to concentrate, dropped out early, or battled preventable illnesses due to poor nutrition.
We saw the need not just for handouts, but for hope and holistic solutions that empower communities to nourish their own children, today and into the future.
What started as a local school meal initiative has grown into a dynamic nonprofit movement, reaching families across Uganda with sustainable, life-changing support.
At ACFI, we are committed to fighting child hunger and malnutrition through a combination of direct support, education, and empowerment. Our core programs include:
- Daily School Meals: We provide nutritious meals to school going children, ensuring they have the energy and focus to learn and grow.
- Sustainable Farming & Home Gardening: We train families and schools to grow nutritious food using simple, sustainable methods, turning backyards into sources of nourishment and income.
- Livelihood Empowerment: Through skills training and small-scale business support, we help caregivers, especially mothers-boost household incomes and improve food security.
- Advocacy & Nutrition Education: We raise awareness about the critical importance of child nutrition and advocate for policies that prioritize food security and child well-being in Uganda.
Why We Exist
Because 1 in 3 children under five in Uganda suffers from stunting, a condition caused by chronic malnutrition that impairs physical and mental development. Because too many children show up to school too hungry to concentrate. Because no child should have to choose between going to school and going to bed with an empty stomach.
Our Vision
To create a future where every child in Uganda has access to adequate and nutritious food, leading to improved health, well-being, and opportunities for holistic development, fostering a resilient and self-sufficient community.
Our Mission
To alleviate hunger and malnutrition among children in Uganda by providing nutritious meals and food assistance programs, promoting food security, and empowering families through sustainable practices and education.
Why the name “Asante”
“Asante” means “Thank you” in Swahili, a reflection of the gratitude that flows from every full plate, every growing garden, and every child who smiles brighter because of the support they’ve received. It also symbolizes our belief in community solidarity, mutual support, and shared responsibility.
