Following a successful pilot project, we'll roll out this project to more primary schools on the island of Ukerewe in Lake Victoria (Tanzania). Schools there have adjacent land which is uncultivated. We set up an environment club, train pupils & selected staff to grow sogum crops for own consumption. Surplus is sold to buy seed, school kit eg chalk, pens & paper. Porridge is cooked and served by pupils to typically 500 kids 3 days a week encouraging attendance and improving concentration.
Many children on the island of Ukerewe attend school without having had breakfast. This causes poor levels of learning because of lack of concentration. Others don't go to school at all because they are undernourished.
By growing crops in school grounds, about 500 children enjoy breakfast 3 days a week. This encourages school attendance and enhances their education. Any surplus crops will be sold to help the schools pay for essential equipment. Providing a sustaining breakfast encourages better health and attendance. If the environment club runs well, as it has in all pilot schools, we diversify into planting fruit crops eg mango and pineapple. They learn about organic methods and take hese skills home.
Improved health through improved nutrition. Improved education as a result of increased school attendance and higher levels of concentration. Learned skills of organic farming, home made fertiliser and pest control are taken home. We have reports of families and villages now growing food for themselves - with the children leading. It's a great yet simple project because food and nutrition lead to improved education which improves their chances in life and will help lift them out of poverty.
This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).
