Food Relief
Quick Facts
- There are 1.5 million orphans living in Zimbabwe today.
- The average life expectancy in Zimbabwe is only 34 years old, due to an increase in the spread of HIV/AIDS, escalated poverty and hunger related diseases.
- In an effort to stabilize Zimbabwe's economy, the US dollar has been introduced. Unfortunately very few Zimbabweans have access to foreign currency and are unable to purchase basic food supplies.
Project Overview
Zimbabwe is facing ongoing food shortages as a result of years of severe drought and economic uncertainty. As the food situation worsens, coping strategies become more drastic and necessary for survival. The lack of food at the household level has resulted in stunted growth and general malnourishment of children in the affected areas.
Overall the project is providing 20,000 primary school-aged children and 4,000 preschool-aged children with two daily servings of nutritionally balanced blended cereal (five days a week) to supplement what the children receive at home. While it is recognized that the amount of food this program will provide does not fulfill daily food needs, we know from experience that two meals a day of high protein cereal will make a major difference in the health of a child.
Current Situation and Needs
A staggering 980,000 children living in Zimbabwe have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS crisis, leaving them vulnerable to increased levels of malnutrition, poverty and disease. Many children are left to care for themselves or their younger siblings. They are without proper care, nutrition and medical support. Children who are malnourished are too weak to walk to school, help with chores or care for their younger siblings. Day after day they experience symptoms of stomach pains, poor growth, muscle weakness and dizziness.
Children are fainting on their way to school; many fall asleep during class as their weakened state makes it difficult for them to concentrate. Many are even too sick to go to school. Without nourishment these children will die, without proper schooling they will be denied access to employment and without employment, they will have no means to a livelihood.
These children desperately need our help. For many children the cereal they receive through ERDO's in-school feeding program, is the only food they will eat that day.
What's happening Now?
In the fall of 2008, the first shipment of food relief for this program was received at ERDO's partner warehouse in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Since then we have consistently distributed food aid to 20,000 children in 16 primary schools and will continue to do so in the months to come. Project staff is monitoring the overall health of the children and recording heights and weights on a regular basis to ensure the children are moving towards normal growth.
Now in its second year, we are seeing the results of this project. Boys and girls are reaching and maintaining healthier weights, school attendance is steadily improving with fewer absences due to illness and teachers are reporting that the children are energetic and ready to learn.
In the months to come, ERDO will establish an agricultural recovery program which will teach the communities currently involved in the in-school feeding program new farming techniques using drought resistant crops and conservation farming methods. This program will not only help families provide for their children but also ensure that the strength and nourishment they are receiving today will continue after the feeding program is complete.
Ongoing Work – How You Can Help
In partnership with ChildCARE ministries – Zimbabwe (CCM), Joyce Meyer Ministries (JMM), and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) ERDO has been able to implement the in-school feeding program in 16 primary schools in Southern Zimbabwe. However we need your continued support to help with the many costs related to such a project on the ground to ensure that these children will receive the care and nutrients they need to become strong, educated leaders within their communities.
