Malnutrition is one of the greatest health problems for our Asháninka partners, with as many as nine in ten children suffering from anaemia.
The polluted rivers provide little in the way of protein, so to address the urgent need a fish breeding programme was started by the community.
Our expert fish farming technicians in the Awajún visited the Asháninka to share their knowledge. They helped build a fish breeding laboratory in the village of Cobeja, producing fish fry to stock ponds across the partnership.
Families have also been provided with chickens and ducks as an additional source of much-needed protein. This reduces the need to rely on the forest for bushmeat hunting. With our support, Jaime, Cool Earth’s chief Biodiversity Officer, is producing workshops which he will use to educate the communities about the most sustainable seasons and species to hunt, reducing the impact on biodiversity.
Edgar is working with the communities to teach them how to grow more nutritious vegetables, as traditionally the Asháninkan diet has largely revolved around yucca. Now, tomatoes, pumpkins, onions, radishes, spinach and bananas all feature on their growing menu.
