How is this possible, I thought to myself, looking out across lush papaya fields growing from what appeared to be an expansive desert. We were in Nueva Esperanza, a poverty stricken desert town along the coast of Northern Peru, visiting a family that participates in Feed the World’s programming.
Feed the World’s mission is to “create self-reliance in all facets of life.” Feed the World works through extensive education programs, all centered around their own small-scale agricultural model. Though the land here is dry, it can produce an abundance of vegetables, grains, and fruit with proper dry farming technique. The team of educators works individually with every family to teach them how to use their own land to produce a plethora of nutritious food. They’ve been working alongside the government and universities in Peru to continue increasing the sustainability and impact of their programs.
Feed the World helps families to break away from the monocropping agriculture standard in the area, and assists them in planting new vegetable gardens, raising small livestock to eat, and growing field crops for supplemental income. They also engage the families in lessons about nutrition and hygiene, showing them new ways to use the crops that they are growing.
So far, their projects have been a huge success. In just over one year, the rates of childhood malnutrition have been cut in half, from around 80% to less than 40%. Families are earning more money, eating healthier foods, and practicing healthy and hygienic home habits. It’s been fascinating to observe how a program largely focused on agriculture and livestock is having a profound impact on health in the region.