Sr Mary Zimba writes to tell us about the success of a self-sustaining food project launched last year at Roma Primary School in Lusaka.
Roma Primary School has a population of 335 pupils (girls only). It was established in 1992 to cater for the vulnerable pupils of the two neighbouring compounds namely N’gombe and Mazyopa. The school has really expanded. It runs a one stream system from grade one to seven. If there was enough space, we could have many more pupils as the demand for places is very high.
We run a feeding programme. We provide porridge for the pupils. We feed about seventy pupils on a daily basis. The porridge has to be provided for without fail as for most of the girls this is the only food that they have in a given day.
Last year, we were wondering how we could be self-sustaining without begging for assistance. We approached the Regional Leadership Team who generously gave us a portion of land on Roma grounds. It was so exciting to see the ground cultivated and plant the seed. We planted maize, groundnuts, beans, pumpkins, and water melon. Of all the things planted the maize harvest was really very encouraging. We had eight 50 kg bags. It is really God providing for us. With this harvest we won’t buy any mealie-meal as we will be using the harvest.
We have enjoyed the pumpkins, pumpkin leaf as vegetable and beans. We did not harvest any ground nuts at all which was due to lack of adequate rain.
We really give Glory to God and the Regional Leadership Team for their support and generosity and for putting big smiles on the faces of our girls. They really love the porridge. Our thanks also go to Mrs. Naomi Zulu who manages to prepare the porridge every day without fail.
