The prevention of malnutrition in school children, thus increasing the chances of a successful education.

Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of learning difficulties in Malawi. Most children get two to three meals at home during harvest time from April until September, but supplies slowly run out and many families scale down to one meal a day, or sometimes one meal every two days. 

A Typical Meal
A typical meal almost always consists of Nsima (corn porridge), which has a low nutritional value. In addition, soy, peanuts, seasonal vegetables, fruit, tubers and insects or small game are eaten. 

Malnutrition Reduces Learning Performance
1 in 3 children on average is chronically malnourished, which leads to growth retardation, concentration and memory problems and reduced resistance. Healthy nutrition is of great importance for the well-being and development of every child. Tree of Life started providing meals in 2021 at Mitongwe Primary School. The meal consists of corn and soy porridge, locally called ‘Likuni Phala’, and is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. 

Sustainability
To obtain nutritious meals, high-quality food products will be produced on Tree of Life’s own farm. The production, processing, preparation and distribution of these meals offer opportunities to train local people and create employment. The older school children will also be involved in the growing of crops on a testing ground near the school. 

Future
The aim is to have the entire production and processing in-house from April 2022. This will reduce costs. In 2023, the goal is to realize overproduction and to sell school meals to other foundations and thereby become self-sufficient.

Go back to the Malawi main page.