Combating Malnutrition in vulnerable populations

The Blue Atlas Project pioneered the creation of the Spirulina Development Institute in 2022 following early meetings, land visits, and feasibility assessments in Uganda. The goal was straightforward: establish a locally run spirulina production site that could address malnutrition in nearby communities while developing a model that could expand across Eastern Africa.

The first phase focused on building two cultivation ponds and a small processing area. At the same time, SDI began outreach to schools and community groups to assess interest in supplementation programs. Baseline health data was gathered through surveys, nurse visits, and consultations with families and educators to understand local nutritional needs and establish monitoring benchmarks. These monitoring efforts continue today.

Over time the team refined production methods, especially milling and drying. The rainy seasons presented early challenges, particularly mold during drying. In response, SDI constructed and improved a dedicated processing shed to better control airflow, humidity, and post-harvest handling.

In 2023, SDI partnered with Masaka Regional Referral Hospital to evaluate spirulina as a nutritional tool for children experiencing malnutrition. Early results were promising. Within the first month, some children showed weight gains of up to 20 percent and an average 14.6 percent increase in mid-upper arm circumference.

Over the past year, additional support allowed SDI to expand its solar installation, improving processing reliability during cloudy and rainy periods and reducing bottlenecks. During this time the team also documented operational lessons and refined approaches for distributing spirulina in ways that are both cost effective and supported by clear nutritional education.

Today the two ponds produce enough spirulina to support supplementation for more than 2,500 children through partnerships with schools, community organizations, and programs serving vulnerable populations, including outreach to refugee communities.

The next phase focuses on turning these lessons into a system others can use. The goal is to develop simple community-scale spirulina gardens that are easy to operate and resistant to common errors. SDI will serve as the regional training hub, seed culture source, and technical resource while local organizations operate their own systems and provide a locally produced, shelf-stable nutritional supplement to combat malnutrition.

A program budget of approximately $18,000 per year for two years ($36,000 total) will support this next stage. Funding will allow us to build a community garden demonstration system, develop a practical training manual covering construction through harvesting and storage, and expand outreach through partner organizations across Uganda, positioning SDI as a regional hub capable of supporting locally led spirulina gardens throughout Eastern Africa. To be able to expand those community gardens to identified areas in Kenya and Zanzibar, an additional $12,000 per year, starting in Q4 of 2026 would provide equipment, travel, initial training and support to be able to expand awareness and supplementation to two additional countries in EA.

Blue Atlas Project

Spirulina Initiative – Uganda

Through its partnership with the Spirulina Development Institute (SDI) in Western Uganda, the Blue Atlas Project is expanding access to nutrient-dense spirulina to schoolchildren, vulnerable households, refugee communities, and—beginning September 2025—families and orphaned children in Byumba Village.

This integrated nutrition program strengthens food security, supports child and community health, and provides consistent, locally grown supplementation to populations facing chronic nutritional gaps.

Production & Farm Status

Daily Production
SDI currently produces 5.5–7 kg of dried spirulina per day, depending on weather.

Annual Production Capacity
At peak output, the farm produces approximately 2,184 kg per year.

Current Stock
SDI reports adequate ongoing production with regular harvesting. (A specific stock count can be added upon request.)

School Nutrition Program

Blue Atlas supports spirulina distribution across seven schools, reaching 2,416 students. Schools receive allotments of spirulina bi-monthly to ensure continuity across the 3-term academic year.

Schools Receiving Spirulina

• Trinity Primary School – 358 students
• Muhanji Primary School – 518 students
• St. Francis School – 183 students
• Kyanika School – 277 students
• St. Xavier Model School – 439 students
• Kigoyera School – 509 students
• Busiriba School – 132 students

Annual Allocations

Across all seven schools, SDI provides 1,297 kg of spirulina per year.

School                     Student Population            Annual Allocation               Per-Term Allocation

Trinity Primary.        358.                                    183 kg                                60.8 kg

Muhanji Primary      518                                     280 kg                                93.3 kg

St. Francis               183                                     99 kg                                  33 kg

Kyanika                    277                                    150 kg                                50 kg

St. Xavier Model      439                                     237 kg                                79 kg

Kigoyera                  506                                     276 kg                                92 kg

Busiriba                   132                                      72 kg                                  24 kg

TOTAL                     2,416                                  1,297 kg                             432.1 kg per term

Distribution Schedule:
Bi-monthly distribution throughout the nine-month school year.

Refugee & Community Outreach

Blue Atlas and SDI allocate spirulina to refugee settlements and neighboring communities experiencing chronic food insecurity and malnutrition.

Communities Reached

• Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement – 170 households
• Nakivale Refugee Settlement – 93 households
• SDI Neighboring Communities – 60 households

Total Households: 323
Estimated Individuals: 323 × 4 = 1,292 people

Monthly Allocations

• Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement – 25 kg monthly
• Nakivale Refugee Settlement – 13 kg monthly
• SDI Neighboring Communities – 9 kg monthly

Distribution Schedule:
All groups receive spirulina three times per week, with monthly distribution conducted through local coordinators.

Byumba Village Program – Spirulina Supply & Allocation

In September 2025, the Blue Atlas Project expanded spirulina support to Byumba Raising Orphans and the Needy in Byumba Village. This new program directly targets individuals affected by chronic illness, malnutrition, disabilities, and extreme vulnerability—including 178 beneficiaries, among them pygmy community members.

Health Conditions Targeted

Spirulina is being used to support individuals impacted by:

• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Hypertension
• HIV/AIDS
• Malnutrition
• Mobility limitations
• Vision challenges
• General immune deficiency

Dosage & Allocation

Beneficiaries were supported with spirulina using two dosage models:

1. Standard Dose (1 Month)
• 30 teaspoons
• 1 teaspoon per day
• Taken once daily
• Provided to the majority of participants
2. Therapeutic Dose (1 Month)
• 60 teaspoons
• 2 teaspoons per day
• Morning and evening
• Given to individuals with more serious health concerns

Duration & Coverage

• 4 people received spirulina for two months
• 174 people received spirulina for one month
• Total beneficiaries: 178

Early Outcomes & Community Impact

Within weeks of distribution, the Byumba program reported significant improvements:

• Individuals who previously reported pain while walking are now beginning to regain mobility
• Several beneficiaries who had stopped working due to illness have expressed increase energy are slowly returning to daily activities
• Reports of improved vision, energy, appetite, and strength
• Multiple testimonies shared by families expressing restored hope and improved wellbeing

Spirulina is rapidly becoming a transformative health intervention for the Byumba community.

Challenges Encountered

1. Difficulty Dissolving Spirulina

Because the spirulina provided was unmilled, many beneficiaries struggled to dissolve it fully in water. This milling process required electricity that was unreliable, with the expanded solar installation this should be resolved

2. High Demand for Longer-Term Supply

Due to the noticeable health improvements, many recipients requested more supplies.
Response: Additional spirulina was provided only to the most critical cases. Beneficiaries were encouraged to follow dosage guidance and await future program cycles. We will be revisiting allocations by the end of 2025

Program-Wide Impact Summary

Children Reached Through Schools:
2,416 students

Refugees & Community Members Reached:
1,292 individuals

Byumba Beneficiaries:
178 individuals, including orphans, elderly, chronically ill, and pygmy households

Total Spirulina Allocated

• Schools: 1,297 kg annually
• Refugee & Community Programs: 47 kg monthly
• Byumba Program: Monthly allocations per dosage: 20 kg

Blue Atlas’ total impact continues to expand as outreach capacity grows.

Looking Ahead

The Blue Atlas Project is committed to expanding the Spirulina Development Initiative by:

• Increasing production capacity with SDI to meet rising demand through expanded, reliable solar installations
• Scaling the school nutrition program to additional underserved regions
• Strengthening distribution to refugee communities
• Continuing support to organizational partners
• Improving monitoring and evaluation to track health outcomes

Your support enables life-changing nutritional access for children, families, and marginalized communities across Uganda. Together, we are building sustainable systems that improve health, resilience, and long-term food security.

Thank you. Sincerely. For helping us do this work. 

Cheers,

Kali

• SpirulinaUpdateQ4.pdf (PDF)