Some months ago, our Education Program surveyed all the primary and secondary schools in our catchment area. There were a total of 24 schools: 20 primary and four secondary schools. We are so happy to have successfully conducted the survey and analyzed the results from it, which have helped us to start implementation of some projects. Read our latest blog to learn more about this development.
The End of Plenty Book Review
The Race to Feed a Crowded World
Author: Molly Horn
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Has the Green Revolution Failed?
The work of Norman Borlaug was supposed to feed the world. Father of the Green Revolution in the 1940’s and 1950’s, Borlaug developed varieties of wheat that were resistant to disease, drought, pests, and other natural forces, allowing farmers across the world to reap a higher yield from their crops and earn more income, feeding more people the world over. He had no way of knowing, however, that his work would lead to crop bioengineering, which today means that corporations can patent seed variants and control what farmers are allowed to grow and sell, especially in developing countries.
Smallholder farmers across the world have seen their profits sink as they come into competition with agriculture giants like Cargill, Bayer, and Monsanto. The vast majority of crops planted in the United States now go to feed the animals that we eat. 70% of American farmland is used for feed for cattle and pigs, rather than being used to feed the human population. The same is increasingly being seen across the world, where crops are grown to feed animals for meat, rather than to feed humans themselves.
Climate change is catastrophic for farmers
In addition to the mega-farms, climate change is forcing many farmers off their land as drought strikes and they can no longer grow enough crops to sell, or as flash flooding washes away a year’s worth of effort and precious topsoil along with it. The worldwide push to slow down global warming is often met with pushback from those who either don’t believe the science of climate change, or who stand to profit from the practices that cause climate change in the first place.
What could the future look like?
In the End of Plenty, Joel K. Bourne Jr. offers a picture of the future we could have if organic farming becomes the norm, and small farmers are able to feed their families and make enough profit to keep their business going. Even crops that are raised with only partially organic techniques succeed where conventional farming fails. Inexpensive drip irrigation becomes the standard and farmers the world over see their crops succeed. This is the future we could have if we want it – a world where there is enough food for everyone, where toxic pesticides no longer poison the groundwater, and a world where global warming is slowed and even potentially reversed.
How is Orant working toward this goal?
The Orant Agroecological Farm is a test plot on Orant’s campus in Kasese in which we are piloting natural farming methods that are good for the environment and for people’s health. Now, after the first year, the plot is very productive, already producing new banana shoots and papaya fruit and much more! Stay tuned for more updates on our Agroecological Farm and more stories from the field!
The Orant Journal
The Culture of Malawi: An Introduction to Malawian Proverbs
Malawian culture has always been known as a treasure trove of wisdom, and proverbs being an integral part of our rich heritage. These timeless sayings have been passed on through generations, offering guidance, direction, and warnings that shape our values, beliefs, and daily lives. In our upcoming blog series, we will delve into the world of Malawian proverbs, exploring their meanings, contexts and significance. Read today's blog post which serves as an introduction to our journey.
As Big as the Sky Book Review
Read today’s blog about the children’s book, “As Big as the Sky”, a Malawian story about a brother and sister whose love for each other is as big as the sky.
How the Mobile Outreach Clinics Operate
For years, our Healthcare program has been making waves in rural Kasese with our Kasese Health Centre and our two Mobile Outreach Clinics, operating in parts of Dowa and Kasungu districts. But have you ever wondered how our Mobile Clinics operate? In our today's blog article, we are shedding more light on what Mobile Outreach Clinics are and how they operate. Visit the link below to learn more.
Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week
Every year, the first week of August is dedicated to World Breastfeeding Week. The goal is to highlight the importance of breastfeeding, to encourage and promote breastfeeding and to improve the health of babies and mothers all around the globe. The theme for 2024 Breastfeeding Week is Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All, which aims at celebrating breastfeeding mothers in all their diversity, throughout their breastfeeding journeys, while showcasing the ways families, societies, communities and health workers can have the back of every breastfeeding mother. In today’s blog, we are sharing Malita Yohane’s breastfeeding journey and how it has been a game changer for her son Benjamin Kambambe who was born prematurely.
Breaking the Chains of Noncommunicable Diseases in Malawi
Imagine a world where noncommunicable diseases no longer hold people back from living the fullest of their lives. A world where quality healthcare services are accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographical location. This is what our Healthcare program envisions. Read our latest to learn more about noncommunicable diseases and what our healthcare program is doing to free communities around our Kasese catchment area from the grip of such diseases.
Orant’s Values
“Orant respectfully serves and collaborates with our community in a sustainable way.”
Water Well Maintenance
At the heart of Orant’s programs and initiatives is sustainability, which is also one of our values. We believe in not only implementing programs or initiatives but also in creating long-lasting change that will continue to serve our community. In today's blog article, we talk about why we perform maintenance on water wells and how it contributes to the sustainability of our Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program.
The Village Chief’s Vital Role
Ever wondered why we always mention village chiefs and their involvement in Orant’s work? If yes, then today’s blog article is for you! In this article, we talk to Village Head of Kasese Village in Dowa, who tells us about her duties and why her involvement with Orant is important. Read today's blog article to learn more.
Evolution of Orant’s FEM Program
At Orant, we are committed to supporting local entrepreneurs, especially women. This is what spurred us to start our Financial Empowering Microloans (FEM) program in 2017. However, we came to realize that our program participants needed more comprehensive support to achieve sustainable growth. This is why we are excited to announce the evolution of our FEM program into what we now call Business Development Program!. Read our latest blog to learn more about this evolution.