Story of the Week
Pathor, 28, is a farmer from Na village in Pek District of Xiengkhouang province. She has three children and struggles with their picky eating habits. Her daily workload and limited knowledge of how to cook nutritious meals sometimes leaves her children hungry.
"Every morning, before I go to the farm, I cook and leave food on the table for my children. Sometimes, they don't even touch the food, and I worry about their health,’’
Pathor says. When the Sustainable Rural Infrastructure and Watershed Management Sector Project, supported by the European Union and the Asian Development Bank, was introduced in her village, she was excited to join. Through it, she has learned new cooking techniques and discovered nutritious ingredients and their positive effects on health.
The change is palpable. Pathor's son, who used to dislike her food, now enjoys her cooking. ‘’Seeing my son really happy and enjoying the food and the new recipes I use makes me happy,” she shares with a smile on her face.
The support is allowing mothers in 119 communities in northern Laos to receive training that goes beyond cooking. This training introduces a new approach to WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) and nutrition. Pathor and other women in her village have learned how to keep their families safe with the help of hygienic techniques. As a result, families in the village are now leading healthier lives, making good decisions for their families every day.
