Summary of African Probiotic Yoghurt Network (APYN)

The African Probiotic Yoghurt Network (APYN) supports the establishment, development, and continuation of small-scale probiotic yoghurt community health micro-enterprises that economically empower at risk and/or impoverished women and youth while at the same time improving community health and nutrition, especially for people living with HIV/AIDS. Although APYN is a relatively new Organization (developed in 2011), APYN was established through Western Heads East (WHE), Kivulini/ MikonoYetu, and National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) who have a long history of implementing community health and development projects in East Africa. Since 2004, Kivulini and WHE have been working together to develop an extended probiotic yoghurt community health network which is now registered as its own NGO, APYN. This document summarizes objectives, capacities, and the main projects of APYN

APYN Brochure 2012

An informational brochure created to discuss probiotics, describe what APYN does, and provide contact information

APYN/ Chemchemi Probiotic Yoghurt Malnourished Children’s Feeding Programme (Aged 0-5) Report

Research evidence and current health reports clearly demonstrate that the prevalence of child malnutrition remains high in Tanzania, especially within the under 5 age group. In Tanzania, over half of all child deaths are attributable to malnutrition. According to data from the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) 2004/05, about 40% of children under five years of age are stunted, i.e., they are short for their age, which is an indicator of chronic undernutrition. About 3% are wasted, i.e., they have low weight-for-height, which is an indicator of acute undernutrition (National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) [Tanzania] & ORC Macro, 2005). Approximately 22% of children are underweight (low weight-for-age), which is a composite measure of long- and short-term undernutrition. By geographic distribution, the nutritional status of rural children is significantly lower than urban children. Extensive research has shown that malnutrition and lack of proper nutrients at an early age has long-lasting negative implications for a person’s physical and cognitive development which are extremely difficult to reverse or overcome. As the incidence of severe acute malnutrition in Tanzania remains a significant public health challenge, Chemchemi, a local, Tanzania organization that works towards improving the health status of under-five malnourished children through food supplementation programmes partnered with the African Probiotic Yoghurt Network (APYN) to address issues of malnutrition in the Buswelu and Buhongwa (Sahwa) Wards of Mwanza, Tanzania through the distribution of probiotic yoghurt food supplements

APYN/RONGEAD LAUNCHING REPORT Biogas Clean Energy Project for Probiotic Yoghurt Production Community Kitchens Sahwa Medical Clinic, Buhongwa Area, Mwanza

The APYN/RONGEAD Launching represents one of many collaborative events and efforts between the two organizations. The purpose of this celebration/launching was to introduce to the Mwanza community the benefits and opportunities associated with linking small-scale economic enterprises such as the Sahwa(APYN) Probiotic Yoghurt Project with implemented biogas technology projects such as the Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (SEED) Project carried out by RONGEAD in order to address issues of malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, poverty and environmental sustainability using local capacities and resources. In addition, the launching provided APYN with an opportunity to educate and convey to the community the scientifically proven health benefits of the probiotic yoghurt for everyone. An underlying objective of the launching included raising awareness in order to raise funds for the development and implementation of additional biogas systems as the remaining APYN kitchens. In addition, APYN used this as an opportunity to market and advertise to the community their health benefitting probiotic yoghurt product. This celebration/ launching was of significant interest for many community members, organizations and institutions especially those involved in the following fields/ areas of operation: women’s and youth economic empowerment, community health and nutrition, HIV/AIDS, small-scale dairy production, agriculture, sustainable energy development, energy production, and community development

Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Project (RONGEAD) and the African Probiotic Yoghurt Network (APYN) Partnership Roles

Rationale for partnership between APYN and RONGEAD and role descriptions for APYN

APYN Promotional Banner - Swahili

A banner created to support APYN activities