Do you remember Cellina’s experience with drought and her story of perseverance? This week we visited Cellina to learn more and catch up on how she and her family have been surviving on the 15 bags of maize she realized from her 2 acre field. Read today’s blog article to catch up on Cellina’s journey.
A Visit to the Orant Agroecological Demonstration Farm
Author: Molly Horn
A Visit to the Orant Agroecological Demonstration Farm
This past season, our US staff visited the Orant Agroecological Demonstration Farm in Malawi to learn about the techniques being used there. Here, we share some photos from that visit.
The Orant Agroecological Demonstration Farm exists to experiment with natural growing techniques which can then be taught to local farmers for use in their own fields. Some of these techniques include organic farming (no use of pesticides or other harmful chemicals); holistic farming methods that seek to harmonize the relationship between man and nature; climate change resilience; biodiversity; and improved nutritional content of food. Agroecology is a method of farming that seeks a balance between humankind, animal life, and nature. You can read more about agroecology in our previous blog.
Orant’s Agriculture Manager, Gracious Msimuko, gave us a tour of the farm and showed us many of the techniques being used for sustainable farming. Orant harvests the food from this farm and gives it to pregnant and nursing mothers in our maternity ward so that they will have nutritious meals. Additionally, some of the food is sold at the local market and the profits are given back to Orant’s programs.
Giant bamboo is being grown to eventually be used for firewood. Giant bamboo is a renewable resource since it grows so quickly and readily in the soil in Malawi, easily reproducing after being harvested.
Last season’s maize husks and stalks are used as groundcover for growing plants, keeping them safe from the elements and their roots moist.
Gracious checks the growth of one of the trees to ensure it is strong. These trees were planted only one year ago – look at how much they have grown!
New sprouts come up through the soil, soon to become full grown plants!
Mbeya fertilizer is made from natural materials. Orant teaches classes to local farmers every season on how to make this useful fertilizer.
Seeds held back from last season’s harvest will be used in planting next season’s crops.
Baby pineapples are started in small pots, later to be transferred to the ground.
A papaya tree is full of delicious fruit!
Orant’s farm staff waters the field, ensuring the crop will grow.
The Orant Journal
A New Era for Kabuluzi Primary School
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 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.