Provide healthy water & food for 5,953 children

REPORT PROJECT: PROVIDE HEATHY WATER AND FOOD FOR 5953 CHILDREN

The project "Providing Healthy Water and Food for 5,953 Children" aims to improve access to safe drinking water and healthy nutrition by drilling boreholes and promoting vegetable production through agroecological practices in 11 rural primary schools. The project benefits 5,953 pupils by providing access to clean drinking water and nutritious school meals.

 The project has already been implemented in several schools, including those in the villages of Yombo, Sékia-Dalet, Nzilla, M'Poko Bac, and Yamboro.

This report presents the activities carried out in these five schools between 1 January and July 2026.

 Yombo Primary School

 This year, the primary school in Yombo village launched its vegetable production activities. With the support of the students' association and teachers, pupils established 43 vegetable plots growing a variety of crops, including amaranth, okra, African eggplant (Solanum), jute mallow, and melon.

 However, the school is facing serious irrigation challenges. The improved well constructed in 2023 has broken down, forcing pupils and parents to fetch water from distant sources to irrigate the garden. Additional funding is urgently needed to drill a borehole that will provide both safe drinking water and a reliable source of irrigation.

 Nzilla and M'Poko Bac Primary Schools

 The primary school in Nzilla cultivated 44 vegetable plots with crops such as amaranth, okra, eggplant, jute mallow, and nightshade.

 The primary school in M'Poko Bac cultivated 80 vegetable plots producing amaranth, okra, eggplant, jute mallow, spinach, and tetragon (New Zealand spinach).

 The pupils are currently on their school holidays and will resume vegetable production when classes restart in September 2026.

 The boreholes in both schools remain fully operational. Water continues to be sold to the surrounding communities at an affordable price, including during the school holidays. The income generated from these sales contributes to the maintenance of the boreholes and supports their long-term sustainability.

 Yamboro Primary School

 A dental hygiene awareness workshop was organized at Yamboro Primary School to educate pupils about good oral health practices and prevent dental cavities. The awareness session was successfully conducted and was well received by the children.

 Unfortunately, vegetable production at Yamboro has been suspended following the breakdown of the borehole installed in 2025. The income generated from water sales has not been sufficient to cover the repair costs.

 An evaluation mission from AFDD headquarters in France, led by the President and the Deputy Treasurer, was conducted in the Central African Republic in February 2026. During the mission, the team visited Yamboro village to assess the situation and facilitate the dental hygiene workshop.

 Following this assessment, AFDD appealed to the Ministry of Education of the Central African Republic to support the repair of the borehole. The necessary administrative procedures have been underway since May 2026.

 In addition, pupils in Yamboro received nutrition education using the Nutriecole application to strengthen their knowledge of healthy eating practices.

 Conclusion

 At the time of this report, pupils in all participating schools are on their school holidays. Vegetable production activities will resume when classes restart in September 2026.

 Donations remain essential to ensure the continuation, expansion, and long-term sustainability of the project. Continued support will enable the schools to maintain access to safe drinking water, strengthen school gardens, improve children's nutrition, and provide a healthier learning environment for all pupils.

• Report Project July 2026 (PDF)