Feeding Children in Uganda

We’re excited to have our second school garden get started at Buwanume Primary.  It is once again the rainy season in Uganda and it’s a critical time for planting.

Bakali is helping to water the tomatoes that were just planted

Climate change has created real challenges for food security in Uganda. During the last planting season in October, heavy rains washed out seedlings and some replanting had to be done.  Many people experienced damage to their homes with the rains deteriorating the clay bricks used for construction.

The team, along with the school staff, students, and community members, began getting the ground ready for vegetable seedlings.  

They constructed a fence around the main area where the smaller crops such as tomatoes, eggplants, collards, and onions will be planted. 

A larger field will be planted with corn and sweet potatoes.  Three in five children in Uganda are undernourished and have stunted growth.  Orange-skinned sweet potatoes have a big benefit for nutrition. Just 125 grams can help with vitamin A deficiency in children. 

The puree can be added to other foods, and the potatoes can be stored to improve food security.

Keeping kids healthy and in school so they can get an education is one of the sustainable ways we are addressing poverty in rural Uganda.

When you see pictures of children with large stomachs and thin limbs, it indicates a condition called kwashiorkor.  This results from inadequate protein intake. Early symptoms include fatigue, irritability, and lethargy.  As the deficiency continues, growth becomes stunted, muscle mass is lost, and there is decreased immunity.

This school garden will not only serve as a source of improved nutrition for about 550 students, it will also teach about organic growing, how to eat healthier, and the importance of caring for the environment.  

David was excited to be chosen to plant a tree!

Students also planted several trees around the school grounds.  They love caring for their tree and watching it grow. Much of Uganda has been deforested and planting trees is critical to helping prevent erosion and improve climate conditions.

Thanks to all of our donors who make this possible.

This project is a true partnership between you our donors, the Buwanume community, the school staff, and the students.  
 

With Gratitude,

Mary

P.S.  If you'd like to help support this very important project it's easy to donate and any amount helps!