Due to the unavailability of a variety of healthy foods, many students in Kwala suffer from malnutrition. This leaves students feeling lethargic, and their inability to actively participate ultimately worsens students  performance in school.

Understanding the Issue:

Like many schools in Tanzania, students at Kwala Secondary School are fed only Ugali (a cornmeal staple starch in East Africa) each day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While Ugali is a filling carbohydrate that prevents children from being hungry, it lacks the vitamins and nutrients necessary to keep children healthy in the long run. Without variety in their diets, children are at greater risk for diseases and illnesses associated with malnutrition. However, the school lacks the financial means to purchase and serve foods other than the relatively cheap ugali.

Community Solution:

Starting in July 2009 with NTC’s first group to Kwala, NTC started the tradition of asking each visitor of Kwala to bring a mti wa matunda (fruit tree) to plant in the new NTC Orchard at Kwala Secondary School. Several students at Kwala were assigned to each tree to make sure that it remains healthy throughout the year, and each visitor leaves Kwala with a lasting legacy throughout the year. Completion of NTC’s water harvesting project should ensure enough water to allow the trees to grow large enough to produce fruit that can be eaten by students and staff at Kwala Secondary School. Further, NTC plans to initiate the Kwala Secondary School garden after the water harvesting project is completed, allowing students to assist in growing other fruits and vegetables that can be eaten as well. Adding fruits and vegetables to the diets of Kwala’s students will decrease malnutrition at the school, improve the overall health of the student population, and ultimately increase school attendance and performance.

Finally, an abundance of fruits and vegetables will create a sustainable business opportunity for the school by allowing them to sell excess fruits and vegetables in Kwala village and help fund the school.