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Feeding schemes for 2940 farm workers children between the ages of 0-5 in Mash W & E
Farm Community Trust of Zimbabwe (FCTZ)
April 22, 2002

Farm Community Trust of Zimbabwe is currently feeding about 2940 farm workers children between the ages of 0-5 in Mashonaland West and East provinces.

The feeding programme, which started in March, is aimed at enhancing the nutritional status of farm worker children through the provision of a nutritious "mahewu" drink.

According to Kaday Sibanda, the FCTZ Deputy Director, the programme intends to feed at least 10 000 children by the beginning of May 2002. She added that the exercise is being conducted at play centres established in the two Mashonaland Provinces and plans are underway to extend the programme to other provinces.

The consolidation of the number of children to benefit is continuing and so far another 2,645 children from 22 farms have been identified in Marondera and Seke districts of Mashonaland East and 1,812 children from 43 farms in Kadoma and Chegutu districts of Mashonaland West Province.

To ensure that that the programme adheres to the nutritional and hygienic standards set by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, FCTZ has worked in close collaboration with the ministry before the launch of the feeding programme. Health extension workers have been trained in rapid nutritional assessment procedures using the mid upper arm circumference method. This procedure is the preferred method for a quick assessment of malnutrition in children.

FCTZ trainers working within the provinces are responsible for identifying the children, distributing the food and monitoring the programme.

As winter approaches, the programme plans to change the type of feed from mahewu to hot nutrimeal porridge.

Besides supplementary feeding, the organisation implements a number of other programmes which include Health, Basic Education, Early childhood Education and Care and Community development.

For more information, contact:
FCTZ Deputy Director, Kaday Sibanda or
Communications Officer, Sophie Hamandishe.

Visit the FCTZ fact sheet

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