Food Programme

The school meals programme which operated during the famine conditions of 2004/05 has been replaced by a more equitable food provision programme.

Many orphaned children have been left small pieces of land by deceased parents, and with a supply of fertilizer, seed and hard work on the part of the students, these gardens become productive. Fochta has also rented several communal gardens with plans to rent 10 more over the coming months, all attached to the schools the students attend, and worked by the students themselves.

There are plans for communal granaries to store food for the hunger times, and diversification of crops to suit changing rain patterns. Malawi's Ministry of Agriculture officers have advised students on best growing techniques. The Stephen Lewis Foundation of Canada has funded, through Fochta, this food security initiative.

With food security programmes in place the drop-out rate in local schools has decreased, as students are less likely to need to go out fo find work instead of attending school.

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