Santorini Mozambique established the Footprints project to uplift the local Chigamane Primary School (Grade 1 to 7). Santorini guests are able to visit the school during a tour of Chigamane Village. Guest donations make it possible for the school to serve porridge every day to 500 students. Donations also provide school Access Kits to vulnerable children, materials for the school vegetable Garden and one day hopes to build on-site teacher housing. The project is run in partnership with ParCo.
Children in the Chigamane community face many challenges that put their education at risk. Due to widespread poverty, driven by the climate related decline of subsistence farming and fishing, many families struggle to meet even the most basic needs. Many children have been left in the care of elderly grandparents after their parents leave in search of better opportunities. Local families, though loving, often lack the resources to fully support the children of Chigamane.
By consuming a warm, nourishing porridge every school day, all 500+ students stay in school throughout the year, regardless of the challenges they may face at home. The most vulnerable children receive School Access Kits including a sturdy backpack, uniform, pens, pencils, notebooks, soap and shoes. The vegetable garden produces some very needed fruits and vegetables and teaches the children about water conservation horticulture. Students take produce from the garden home to eat and sell.
When children are forced to leave school because of hunger, they face a greater risk of being caught in the cycle of poverty. At Chigamane Primary School, the daily school lunch, school access kits and school garden play a vital role in keeping every child in the classroom. By staying in school and having a good diet to learn and grow, the children of Chigamane will grow up with better chances to escape poverty and further uplift the next generations.
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