NWR launches school garden project
Helping children in need
NWR's garden project is aimed at helping address the challenges of malnutrition and hunger in Namibian communities, particularly in schools.
Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has initiated vegetable garden projects at schools across the country as part of its corporate social investment efforts.
The project was first launched at the Oshekasheka Combined School.
According to NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala, the project is aimed at supporting the government's school feeding programme, which seeks to provide meals for vulnerable children across the country.
He said the school garden project is one of NWR's flagship projects and seeks to construct 14 school gardens across the country.
"The aim is to provide nutritious vegetables for schools in need and to enhance the learning experience of learners by providing practical skills in gardening."
Hungry children
Over the next 12 months, NWR will monitor each school’s progress and assist where needed.
According to the World Food Programme in 2020, around 370 000 Namibians were identified as having limited access to food, including children.
Food insecurity in Namibia has been predicted to improve between April and August this year, with about 239 000 people – or 9% of the population – experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity.
However, these expectations were based on the fact that Namibia would receive normal to above-normal rainfall, which had been forecast for the 2022–2023 rainfall season, and that households would be able to consume food from their production, signifying the start of the 2023–2024 consumption period.
Support of government
Ashipala said as a socially responsible organisation, NWR has used this as an opportunity to support government's efforts to provide healthy meals to school-going children.
Speaking about the project, Ashipala said they are delighted to launch this initiative to assist the government in its school feeding programme.
"We believe that by supporting schools in this way, we can help address the challenges of malnutrition and hunger in our communities."
He added that the project will create an opportunity for the learners to gain practical skills in gardening, which can contribute to their future employability and self-sustainability.
He said NWR is committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to address the challenges of hunger and malnutrition in Namibia with responsibility and accountability.
The project was first launched at the Oshekasheka Combined School.
According to NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala, the project is aimed at supporting the government's school feeding programme, which seeks to provide meals for vulnerable children across the country.
He said the school garden project is one of NWR's flagship projects and seeks to construct 14 school gardens across the country.
"The aim is to provide nutritious vegetables for schools in need and to enhance the learning experience of learners by providing practical skills in gardening."
Hungry children
Over the next 12 months, NWR will monitor each school’s progress and assist where needed.
According to the World Food Programme in 2020, around 370 000 Namibians were identified as having limited access to food, including children.
Food insecurity in Namibia has been predicted to improve between April and August this year, with about 239 000 people – or 9% of the population – experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity.
However, these expectations were based on the fact that Namibia would receive normal to above-normal rainfall, which had been forecast for the 2022–2023 rainfall season, and that households would be able to consume food from their production, signifying the start of the 2023–2024 consumption period.
Support of government
Ashipala said as a socially responsible organisation, NWR has used this as an opportunity to support government's efforts to provide healthy meals to school-going children.
Speaking about the project, Ashipala said they are delighted to launch this initiative to assist the government in its school feeding programme.
"We believe that by supporting schools in this way, we can help address the challenges of malnutrition and hunger in our communities."
He added that the project will create an opportunity for the learners to gain practical skills in gardening, which can contribute to their future employability and self-sustainability.
He said NWR is committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to address the challenges of hunger and malnutrition in Namibia with responsibility and accountability.
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