So what does a termite hill have to do with nutrition? It's rather simple actually. In places like Uganda the termite hills are larger because there is more rain and the termites have an easier time digging into the ground. In places like Malawi the conditions are very dry - red dust blowing in your face during the dry season dry - and the termites have a harder time getting deep into the soil to make their grand castles that pop up all over the African landscape. So it makes sense that dryer soil conditions mean less productive land and lower crop production. Add climate change to the equation and you get a nasty situation.
Today I visited a cooperative feeding program where mothers brought what food they could offer from their gardens and shared it amongst their neighbours so a more balanced menu could be provided for their children. Some women provided peas, others, rice, corn flour, pumpkin, soy beans, pumpkin leaves, amongst other farmed goods, depending on the season. The malnourished children were weighed periodically during the 12 week program and great results were always found. The women learned better feeding practices and they felt confident in their child's progress. A good thing you must admit. A simple solution to a very difficult problem. All organized by the women themselves to help those who they love the most: their children.
10 Comments
Jodi V
9/17/2017 08:37:04 pm
Hi Mrs. White! We were discussing this photo and wondering how tall this termite hill is (approximately). A bit hard to tell in the photo. What are the average daily temperatures there?
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Donna White
9/19/2017 07:18:02 am
I think the mound is about 1 metre tall. The termite hills I saw in Uganda towered over me! Further on into the trip, when I travelled higher up into the mountains, the soil was healthier and growing conditions were much better - so the termite mounds were larger - about 1 1/2 metres tall. Never came across any taller than me though. Interesting thing too - In Uganda they eat the termites during the dry season when the food supply is low - but not in Malawi. Was told they eat flying ants - the ones with the big white wings. Oh yes, they eat grasshoppers and mice too. Honestly. Will show you photos of that in a later blog.
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