This project supports home gardens to teach children farming skills, help the environment, and provide food and income to families in need. Each child will receive 5 fruit trees and 1 chicken. The child will learn how to take care of the chicken and also gain nutrition and income through egg production. The manure will be used as fertilizer for the trees. We are amazed at the level of donor interests and so thank you to their generosity we are able to expand the program to reach even more kids.
Due to drastic deforestation, most indigenous fruit trees have been cut down to make way for other ground crops such as maize and potatoes. With the huge rise in population, there is less land to go around and families are being forced onto smaller and smaller plots of land that do not have the fruit trees to give their families the nutrition they need. Many families also do not have enough income to provide for basic needs. Deforestation increases soil erosion and flooding.
By growing fruit trees and raising a chicken, the children can obtain a continual source of nutrition for their families. They can sell extra fruit and eggs to earn money for basic necessities such as medicine, school fees, clothes, etc. By donating trees and chickens to the MULIA home gardens programs, it ensures that the children also have nutritious food year round, as opposed to the regular maize-meal and beans that they normally eat every day.
Better nutrition helps with child development both physically and cognitively. The extra income earned from the trees can also empower the families as they will be able to pay for things such as medical care, school fees, soap, and clothing. As an added bonus, the trees help combat global warming, prevent erosion, provide wildlife habitat, and make oxygen. Fruit trees will include papaya, mango, orange, jackfruit, kitafere, passion fruit, and avocado.
