Combating Climate Change with Agroecology

Dear Donor,

Thank you for your past support of the moringa project. It has been a good project that has consistently grown. Trees just do that which is why its such a strong program. The issue we consistently have that is most frustrating is in buying the powdered moringa from the women's groups to provide to the preschools where moringa does not grow well. 

While we thought moringa would grow everywhere in Kenya, the Rift Vally can have cooler weather and moringa loves the hot humid climate around Lake Victoria and in Ghana, in general.

The greatest need is to serve the preschool children of the Kipsongo Slums where malnutrition is palpable and moringa doesn't do that well. When we provided them with powdered moringa from the woman's group through your donation, the children were thriving. 

A small monthly donation will mean a world of good. Please consider a one time or monthly donation to pay the women who grow and powder the moringa.  Children with malnutrition need nutrition at this young age to grow and thrive.

Thank you!

Shana 

Dear supporters,

At Village Volunteers, we support only programs where the benefits multiply. Take the case of Gladdis and Moses. Gladis grows moringa in a village where moringa grows well. Its hot and humid and the temperature never drops below the moringa tree comfort zone.  Gladis grows moringa trees with her women's group, dries the leaves, powders them and provides nutrition for children in the village who now have increased nutrition and in particular protein.

Moses lives in the slums where moringa does not do well because of the elevation about 70 miles away from Gladdis's trees. He is now in kindergarten but as an infant was abandoned and was taken in. He goes to a school where moringa is donated. The report we got about his progress is very encouraging so we become aware of the subtle and not so subtle changes that you as a donor have made. The change in Moses has been palpable. Malnutrition is chronic and if not caught early, will inhibit intellectual capacity and growth. He is a happy, funny little boy who charms everyone. Our goal for Moses is to be all he can be and show the world that he is not a throw-away child. Because of you, he knows he isn't. He knows that people care.

Our goal is to continue to pay Gladis and all of the women who grow moringa as a social enterprise. The powder is donated to preschools and kindergartens where malnutrition is devastating and where the life of children like Moses are impacted forever.

Our goal is to always multiply the benefits that are provided by the donors who can truly affect real change.  If you could continue to donate any amount, we will make sure that your donation goes to where it needs to go to enhance the lives of those impacted by poverty.

Thank you,

Shana Greene

Dear donors,

It's been a great journey planting moringa trees and assisting children and nursing mothers with malnutrition. Moringa is very important for the elderly and those suffering from HIV/AIDS or Sickle Cell Anemia to stay healthy. and be productive. We purchase the powdered leaves from women's and youth groups to donate to preschools and other public health programs where the trees may not grow and where malnutrition is pervasive.

The moringa tree originated in India and was brought to Africa by people from Asia who used it as a source of food and medicine. It likes sun and can tolerate drought but it does not thrive where temperatures drop at night. Moringa grows fast and is available when are where few other sources of green leafy vegetables are available. With a high content of protein, calcium, minerals, iron, and vitamins A, B, and  Vitamin C, potassium, copper, iron, choline and all of the essential amino acids the moringa leaves rank among the best of perennial nutrition. 

Our study of the effect of moringa is only conclusive with the teachers and the communities who see the children looking and feeling better, the mothers having more milk to give their newborn and the health of those with suppressed immune systems. 

 For those of you who support the increase of nutrition in children one time or in an ongoing donation. Your kindness is multiplied tenfold.

Best regards,

Shana. 

Dear Donor,

If you have been a supporter in the past or better yet continue to support with a monthly donation, thank you!

We've always designed our programs to support sustainable solutions to community challenges and to use social enterprises to provide the best possible way forward for those in need.  While moringa is a social enterprise for the women who grow the trees and powder the leaves, it's the poorest children who are either orphaned or live in slums who need moringa the most and where there is either little land available to grow or the climate is not appropriate.

With malnutriont, catching children who are preschool or younger, makes all of the difference in their future successes. Using your donation, we purchase moringa from the women's groups to distribute the powdered superfood to be added to the porridge of preschoolers in regions of debilitating malnutrition. 

This is not a difficult task when we have the support of you and others. Malnutrition needs to be addressed in preschool to give every child the best start possible. Moringa is just that superfood. 

Thank you!

Shana

Dear Donor,

Since we first started the moringa project, we have distributed thousands of Moringa seedlings and used local trainers to conduct trainings for over 30 women’s groups in Western Kenya in areas of widespread malnutrition. 

Within the Kar Geno Moringa Project, over 12,000 Moringa trees have been planted in Western Kenya covering almost 5 hectares that will be capable of producing 50kg of Moringa powder per month. The women’s group powder the leaves supplying Moringa powder to the Kipsongo Project serving the Kipsango Slums and through programs with Joshua Machinga of Common Ground for Africa (37kg).

With a large population of children living with Sickle Cell Anemia in Muhuru Bay, we set up the Sickle Cell Anemia Initiative with Mama Maria Clinic and Hospital in 2016. Over 30kg of Moringa powder is regularly supplied and our trainer, Raphine Onyango Muga, organized and trained parents of children with Sickle Cell Anemia in growing the “miracle” tree. 

This is where we ask for your help. To buy the powdered moringa to provide to children who are malnourished, we need donations to keep this all going as a social enterprise for women's groups who support their families. 

A one-time donation or subscribing as some of you have done is so helpful to keep the goodness flowing.

Thank for your support,

Shana 

Links:

• Moringa Tree Project