Turning tradition into lessons in motherhood. Lesso Lessons uses tradition as a means to bring about positive change. It’s an attempt to weave nutritional guidance into a lesso, which is already woven into the cultural fabric of our societies in Africa.
In Kenya, over 26% of children under 5 years of age, that’s 1 in 4 children suffer from chronic malnutrition. A significant reason being, young mothers living in media dark regions are unaware of the importance of proper breast feeding and complementary feeding practices, that are crucial in the first 24 months of their child’s development.
These women work long hours while carrying their babies on their backs in a sling, using distinct, vividly patterned cloth wraps called lessos. Traditionally, lessos are usually adorned with words of hope and love. They are often passed down to convey tribal stories and wisdom over many generations.
We decided to turn these lessos into lessons in postnatal nutritional care.
As the first 24 months are the most crucial in a child’s nutrition and development, we created 3 different Lesso Lessons. One for each of the 3 stages, containing illustrative and instructive lessons on proper breastfeeding and complementary feeding to serve as a daily guide and reminder on raising a healthy child.
Along with input from healthcare professionals and the Ministry of Health, we adapted over 1 million data points from some of the most recent studies on postnatal nutrition, during the design process to make the utility relevant to our region driving comprehension. The designs draw influence from traditional prints, staying true to the traditional beauty of a lesso but transforming it into a desirable and functional garment that will hopefully continue teaching generations to come.
Roto Tanks, with their vast, deep-reaching logistics and delivery capabilities distributed the lessos during health awareness drives conducted by healthcare professionals. Women were introduced to each Lesso Lesson, before receiving their free lessos. The initiative is now being scaled up to reach and educate mothers in media dark areas across East Africa.
