Who we Are
Nourishing Minds is a non profit organization run entirely by volunteers, based in Switzerland.
We work in the Ekwendeni Area of Northern Malawi where many children, walk 2 to 3 hours to get to school. They often arrive at school with empty tummies and return home still having had nothing to eat due to family poverty. This results in a lack of energy and difficulty concentrating and learning throughout the school day.
Our goal at Nourishing Minds is to provide all primary school children in the area with a cup of porridge each school day with the additional concept of empowering the unemployed youth within this community-based project.
We work in the Ekwendeni Area of Northern Malawi where many children, walk 2 to 3 hours to get to school. They often arrive at school with empty tummies and return home still having had nothing to eat due to family poverty. This results in a lack of energy and difficulty concentrating and learning throughout the school day.
Our goal at Nourishing Minds is to provide all primary school children in the area with a cup of porridge each school day with the additional concept of empowering the unemployed youth within this community-based project.
Reduce malnutrition
To reduce malnutrition amongst primary school children in the Ekwendeni catchment area in the Northern Region of Malawi |
Increase Attendance
To increase attendance and pass rates at the primary schools |
Empower youth
To empower the unemployed youth, in the area, by providing a focused direction and opportunities for them to be involved in this positive project in their communities |
WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED
The project started in September 2017 with 3 pilot schools, now there are 5 schools providing porridge.
Since the children have been receiving porridge enrolment has increased, absenteeism has decreased and there has been a marked increase in the pass rates at all 5 schools. This project also provides the youth with a sense of purpose whilst nourishing the tummies and the minds of the children in their communities.
In November 2018, the communities were given land, seeds and fertiliser to begin growing their own maize and soya for the porridge. Nourishing Minds will continue to supply salt, sugar, seeds and fertiliser. It is vital we work in collaboration with the youth and the communities to empower them and increase sustainability.
There are 52 primary schools in the catchment area and our goal at Nourishing Minds is to establish a cookhouse in each to provide the essential porridge for all the children attending school. This will be achieved through membership fees, fundraising events and donations.
Since the children have been receiving porridge enrolment has increased, absenteeism has decreased and there has been a marked increase in the pass rates at all 5 schools. This project also provides the youth with a sense of purpose whilst nourishing the tummies and the minds of the children in their communities.
In November 2018, the communities were given land, seeds and fertiliser to begin growing their own maize and soya for the porridge. Nourishing Minds will continue to supply salt, sugar, seeds and fertiliser. It is vital we work in collaboration with the youth and the communities to empower them and increase sustainability.
There are 52 primary schools in the catchment area and our goal at Nourishing Minds is to establish a cookhouse in each to provide the essential porridge for all the children attending school. This will be achieved through membership fees, fundraising events and donations.
OUR GOAL
To create a sustainable project, involving the local communities, by establishing school gardens to grow maize and soya for the locally made porridge.
