Covid-19 Learning Series - Case Study 1

In 2021, ENN embarked on a COVID-19 Learning Series that aimed to complement existing COVID-19 learning initiatives within the nutrition sector, making full use of our rich network and fora. A key focus of the series was on capturing the field-level experiences of those operating within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. ENN wanted the series to contribute to understanding the impacts of COVID-19 on nutrition issues in local communities as well as the challenges that COVID-19 presents for implementing nutrition services.

ENN produced four case studies and a synthesis document focusing on the role of entrepreneurs in supporting nutrition and health services during the pandemic; this is the first in the series.

Case Study 1: Western Stone Enterprise, a woman-led business that produces peanut paste, sesame paste and other value-added agricultural products in Kenya. The ethos of Western Stone Enterprise, founded by Hannah, is to provide nutritious, value-added agricultural products that contain no additives or preservatives and continued to do so throughout the pandemic with valuable lessons learnt. As Hannah’s story demonstrates how small actions by businesses have played an important role in mitigating the adverse effects of the pandemic by safeguarding and promoting access to nutritious, safe and affordable diets.