Benefits for Staff & Land
Exciting Update on Our Dehydration Center
In our Dehydration Center, our apprentices are gaining valuable experience as they learn to process a wide range of products. From turmeric and chillies to ginger, the team has been busy. They are currently working on Seville oranges and lemons, which are harvested daily. The team collects juice and seeds from the fruit, with the seeds being used to grow seedlings. The juice is served to our hardworking staff, the children in the preschool, and the youth in our Young Warrior Program. They love it!
The situation of food insecurity in our region is already severe. Many parents prioritize feeding their children and neglect their own needs. Carol, who oversees our plant operations, observed that some of our staff members were coming to work without having eaten, and one of them even fainted from hunger. Carol quickly implemented a plan to have the workers contribute a small amount of their pay, which she used to buy lunch for everyone each day. In addition, we have dedicated a small plot of land near the center where we will grow vegetables for the workers to enjoy during their breaks.
Library Day: A Fun and Productive Activity for Our Staff
Every Tuesday, some of our staff go to the library for an hour of picture book reading and English reading practice. As our team grows, we plan to expand our session to an hour and a half, and we're excited to welcome new members. We also can't wait to unpack the new books that arrived in the container. They will be available for us to read over the next month. It's an exciting time!
Addressing Environmental Challenges with Innovative Solutions at Mitongwe Farm
Mitongwe Farm is currently struggling with the effects of a recent cyclone and an ongoing deforestation problem. Torrential rains have caused flooding and erosion of the nutrient-rich soil. To mitigate this, we have initiated the construction of gabions - wire containers filled with rocks or other materials - to create retaining walls. This will divert water into the 10 km of trenches we dug last year. By holding back the water and allowing it to infiltrate into the ground, we can reduce the damage caused by flooding while replenishing the groundwater table.
