The extremely poor and drought-ridden Muslim community of Guludo, has a population of 1300. Life expectancy is 38 years, infant mortality is 30 per cent, and only 20 per cent are literate.
The community's current water supply, including drinking water, comes from a single bore hole and a stagnant pond shared with elephants.
The nearest health post is two hours walk away, the nearest doctor over an hour drive away. Malaria is the major factor for the high infant mortality although diarrhoea, malnutrition and complications at birth are also contributory factors.
The area relies entirely on subsistence agriculture and every year food shortages threaten the lives of thousands of people.
NEMA aims to halve infant mortality, reduce the spread of HIV and incidence of malaria. Sustainable solutions to problems such as herds of elephants coming through and trampling the food will also be sought.
We have just given a grant to provide 8 new water wells for this village. Imagine the transformation to village life and health once they are completed.
THE VALUE OF A NEW SCHOOL AND THE FEEDING PROGRAMME
With 7 fully equipped classrooms catering for all seven years of school, plus a library, playground and small farm, the new school will replace two unfurnished, open-air rooms that are used currently. It will also include a brand new kitchen with a free school lunch programme so every child can receive a nutritious meal each day providing 70% of their daily requirements.
This will have the double benefit of hugely improving the children’s health as well as their attendance at school. Daily turnout is expected to shoot up from around 110 to more than 400 children when the new facilities are built.
The local literacy rate is 15% for women and 25% for men. The current primary school has two classrooms, no furniture or roof.
The feeding programme and new school will have a profound impact in Guludo village as a whole. Guludo suffers from severe food shortages for 3-4 months of the year, so ensuring that the children will be fed a nutritious meal a day for a whole year will dramatically increase the overall health of the children and take some pressure off the parents. The feeding programme will ensure the highest level of attendance possible incleasing the level of education in Guludo.
Global Angels is currently also raising funds for educational materials, microfinance for heads of families and malaria projects in Guludo.
Providing clean water, food and education will empower a new generation of children and alongside this amazing Fair Trade venture.
