Seeds for Life in Zambia

I have just returned from Zambia after visiting many of the schools we support. It was the middle of the rainy season and it was wonderful to see healthy maize growing in the fields. The poor rural communities are dependent on rain water for the maize crops as they do not have irrigation systems. In some areas were the early rains were infrequent the crops are growing slowly, whereas in other areas the growth is stronger.

With your recent donations we have been able to add three more schools to the twelve we had already given seeds to. Kauwe, Muchimbale and Namuyani Schools in the Nyawe Chiefdom will received seeds to grow vegetables to suppliment the school's feeding program. It is too late to grown maize but at least they can grown tomatoes, cabbage, beans and pumpkins.

Due to the high poverty levels in these remote villages, families cannot send their children to school with packed lunches. Threfore it is imperative for schools to provide one meal a day. The World Food Program provisons are inconsistent and are often sent for only one term per year.

Maize is the staple diet for Zambians and provides a source of energy if not highly nutritioua. Ground nuts (peanuts) are a good source of protein and leafy green vegetables provide the neccessary vitiamins. Seasonal fruits can be found on the local trees and bushes, the mango being the most nutritious. Due to the long dry season there is only one crop of mangos.

Our aim is to set up a local enterprise for school leavers to use dried mangos, and to make tea with the view of supplying the hotels and lodges in the Victoria Falls region.

Please keep donating so that we can reach out to more schools and communities.

Links:

• Food Programs