RUTH BANDA

The Joshua Tree Foundation (JTF), shall be a Non-Governmental Organisation mainly concerned with the welfare, delivery of Education and Food to the Orphans and Vulnerable Children of Zambia.

 

AIMS

 

To provide nutritious meals at school premises.

 

To emphasise that access to education and good nutrition is the human right of every child in the world. The two are vital for the child’s physical, intellectual, emotional and social development.

 

To take any action that is lawful, that would aid the Foundation in fulfilling its Aims.

 

Through education, the JTF will seek to empower children to realise their full potential as well as strengthen their capacity to achieve sustainable economic levels to break the cycle of poverty. 

 

The Aim of the JTF is to provide nutritious school meals. JTF will work through selected schools with the Aim of providing the relief of poverty through the advancement of education. The NGO believes that children cannot learn and achieve their full potential, thus breaking the cycle of poverty, if they are hungry. 

 

 

 

PILOT - ​MARY AIKENHEAD GIRLS PRIMARY SCHOOL LUSAKA ZAMBIA

 

Mary Aikenhead is a day primary school made up of 640 girls, ranging from ages 7 to 13 years and 30 teaching staff. 97% of the students are orphans and the rest are considered to be vulnerable children. All the children struggle with continuing their education because of hunger. They cannot concentrate in lessons, they are malnourished and so are often lethargic or they are forced to earn money selling whatever they can instead of being in class. 

 

I have committed to funding one nutritious meal all girls with the help of my mother and volunteers. My single mission is to keep these children in school with alert minds. ​Education is every child’s basic human right, but they cannot have it on empty stomachs. 

I am self funding this pilot project for now and depending on a wing and a prayer.