Seeds for Life in Zambia

Bunsanga is a remote village in the Nyawa Chiefdom of Zambia. Up until now they have never received any support from charities. The Butterfly Tree recently donated a bore hole and Indian Hand Pump to Bunsanga School, which will enable them to have a sustainable feeding program. In October they will be able to plant a vegetable garden before the onset of the rainy season. It was humbling to hear that this was the first time the children and community members had ever tasted fresh clean water. 

Water is essential for all forms of life. It is four months since a drop of rain fell in Zambia, for many vulnerable families at this time of year there is a shortage of food. Children walk to school on empty stomachs relying on the school to provide a morning porridge. This is funded by the World Food Program, but sadly there is never enough for every school, some only receive the donation for one term out of three, others do not receive anything.

The Seeds for Life in Zambia project helps schools to become sustainable so that they do not have to rely on the World Food Program. Local women cook the food grown by the pupils, which is especially beneficial for those having to walk long distances to get to school. During the dry season if the school has a bore hole it provides a continual supply of fresh water, not only for drinking, but also for irrigating a school garden.

Having a feeding program helps to improve the children's performance and attendance. Zambians' staple diet is maize, but we are looking at alternative crops as maize is rain dependent. One school at Singwamba has started growing breadfruit and once the project progresses they will donate seeds to other schools. This is an excellent form of sustainability as it makes them less dependent on internatonal aid. Breadfruit is highly nutritious and the trees do not need a great deal of water.

We must reach out to more remote schools and give them the same chance as schools such as Bunsanga, which is the fitteenth school to receive a bore hole through Thr Butterfly Tree.

Links:

• Water is Essential for Feeding Programs