Seeds for Life in Zambia

Thank you to all the donors who have supporded our Seeds for Life project in Zambia. I am delighted to say that we have been able to expand our support to more rural schools who get very little help from the outside world. 

The past two years the areas where we work haxe experienced drought, hunger has been common place, especially amongst school children who have to walk long distances to school. The importance of school meals in these outreach communities cannot be underestimated. As long as the school has a source of water maize and other vegetables can be grown to support a feeding program. When we develop or expand a school the first facility we look at is that of water. 

If there is a nearby stream then treddle pumps can be used to pump water to irrigate the gardens. Unfortunately this same water is oftern the only main source of drinking water, hence the high number of cases of diarrhoeal cases in children. This year we have donated four bore holes, also known as wells, to River View, Nguba and Mayala rural schools and Kazungula Boarding School. As a result a further 2,600 children now have access to safe drinking water.

The new school year in Zambia starts in January, which is also the rainy season and a good time to plant seeds for the feeding program. Though each rural school is supposed to be provided with supplies from the World Food Program, this can be inconsistent. At times the schools receive only enough ground maize for one or two terms, leaving a shortfall for the remaining terms. 

By helping the schools to create their own garden they can meet the shortfall and help more vulnerable children. It also creates sustainibility as any surplus food can be sold within the community.

With Christmas now behind us, and the realisation that we have been fortunate enough to celebrate it with traditonal meals such as turkey and all its trimmings, with your donations we can now help those less fortunate than we are.

Links:

• Food Situation in Zambia