Stories
August 28, 2025 • 4 min read
Piloted in June 2024 to tackle chronic anaemia, this simple iron ingot is transforming health outcomes for women and children in Agoga District, Uganda.
Partnering for change through GOAL’s Humanitarian Innovation Fund
In June 2024, GOAL Uganda, with funding from Irish Aid through GOAL’s Humanitarian Innovation Fund, partnered with Divine Organic Foods to introduce a simple but powerful innovation to combat chronic anaemia in Agago District: The Lucky Iron Fish (LIF).
The LIF is a small, reusable fish-shaped iron ingot (bar of iron metal) that, when boiled in water or soup, releases a controlled amount of bioavailable iron, enough to provide a significant portion of daily iron needs without altering the taste of food.
Divine Organic Foods sold the ingots to the community and facilitated training on safe use and practical everyday cooking with the device, empowering families with valuable tools and knowledge to improve their health.
Iron for Every Meal
In Uganda, where iron-deficiency anaemia is rife – affecting nearly one in three women of reproductive age and over 40 per cent of children under five – this LIF is making a real impact.
When boiled in water or food with an acidifier such as lemon or tomato, it releases a safe, absorbable dose of iron that helps combat fatigue, frequent illness and poor birth outcomes – common side effects of anaemia.
Today, women like Esther Akot and Monica Akello, users of the LIF, are telling a different story. One of improved health and renewed hope, thanks to the innovative tool that is transforming nutrition one meal at a time.
“It Helped My Whole Family”, Esther & Monica’s Story
Esther Akot holds the Lucky Iron Fish ingot in her hand as she explains how it has improved her family’s health.
Esther Akot, one of the trained participants, had children in her household who were always unwell, weak, tired, and frequently ill before using the LIF.
She shared, “This fish (the ingot) contains valuable iron. It has helped my whole family. My children and even our neighbours are healthier than ever before.”
Today, Esther uses the LIF regularly. What began as a small training session has turned into lasting change for her household. The child who was once always sick, is now healthy and thriving.
Monica Akello, 27years, hesitated at first.
A GOALie demonstrates how to use the Lucky Iron Fish to Monica, one of the project participants.
Monica, another LIF user, admits she was sceptical at first.
“It looked like a toy. I didn’t believe it would do anything,” she says.
Monica had been feeling tired so often that some days she could not go to work. She decided to try the LIF, and by December 2024, she had been using it almost every day.
“I had more strength. I stopped going to the clinic all the time. Even my children began eating better. That LIF changed something in our home,” Monica reports.
Monica was one of 57 women who participated in regular haemoglobin testing as part of the project’s monitoring. The results were incredible. Moderate anaemia cases fell to zero, and symptoms such as fainting, tiredness and pale skin dropped dramatically.
Bringing Nutrition Home
Monica (Right) with a GOALie, proudly holding the Lucky Iron Fish
Participants also began planting iron-rich vegetables, like pumpkin leaves and amaranth, next to their kitchens, combining local foods with the iron fish to boost nutrition even more.
“We learned how to add lemon or tomato when cooking,” Monica explains. “Now I know how to prepare food that gives energy, not just fills the stomach.”
To ensure the product reached every household, GOAL introduced instalment plans and worked with local savings groups so payments could be spread over several months. A short-term subsidy was also provided to reduce the cost in many cases, helping households with limited income to access the LIF.
“It’s now accessible to everyone, no matter their income,” says Esther.
A Grassroots Model for Lasting Health
By April 2025, GOAL, in partnership with Divine Organic Foods, expanded the pilot to new districts. Over 400 ingots were sold in Agago, and the model proved both impactful and scalable.
Tackling Anaemia, One Meal at a Time
GOAL’s approach, combining simple innovation with trusted local systems, offers a low-cost, sustainable solution.
Through the experiences of women like Esther and Monica, the Lucky Iron Fish is proving that change doesn’t always come in the form of overly complex interventions. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of putting the right tool in the pot.
