Developing a tree nursery

Many of you will already know about our solar powered drip feed irrigation system, an initiative which enables 30+ ladies to grow vegetables all year round, even through the dry season, thereby providing a constant supply of food both to sell and to feed their families with.

To respond to the sustainability of this project we have had to look at some income generating activities to cover core costs. Two ideas we have come up with and have been working on are the development of a commercial tree nursery and also the creation of a moringa plantation. Both are linked as the first three seeds planted in the tree nursery are moringa seeds which were given to me by a wonderful lady called Lucy who founded Ndi Myo Hospice in Salima. Ndi Myo (www.ndimyo.org ) is the only establishment of its kind in Malawi, providing support for the terminally ill and alongside traditional medicines Lucy and her team also offer alternative therapies as well.

Moringa is reputed to have many health benefits and its powder is increasingly being taken for its nutritious qualities and here the photo shows those very young seedlings grown from the Ndi Myo seeds. Zikomo Kwambiri Lucy