learn grow feb2009
DESCRIPTION
The purpose of the Learn/Grow project is to teach families in third world countries how to make the most of food plants that grow locally. Most health issues in young children in developing nations are caused by poor nutrition when some of the most nutritious food plants in the world are growing in their own back yards.TRANSCRIPT
Learn ♦ Grow
A project that helps people in developing countries learn about and grow the best local foods to meet
their nutritional needs.
This Rotary year our International President, D K Lee, challenged all Rotarians to
“Keep the service emphasis on water, health
and hunger and literacy….but to focus your
efforts in each of these areas on children and
reducing the terrible rate of child mortality in
our world.”
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A tangible response to one of his challenges
has emerged from within District 9830.
A project that shows hungry
developing world communities
how to feed themselves with
locally grown foods.
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A project of Rotary District 9830
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Devonport North
In partnership with Food Plants International
Food Plants International
A not-for-profit organisation lead
by founder, Bruce French, who has created the Food Plants
International database
This unique database which includes 18,000 species
represents the most comprehensive scientific information
available on edible plants for all countries of the world.
A Vital Tool
The database developed over 30 years
by Food Plants International provides: Scientific and common names of edible plants
Photos and drawings of the plants
Information on how to grow them
Nutritional information
How each plant can be prepared and eaten
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Aim
To sustainably reduce malnutrition in developing countries and reduce
illness disease and mortality
…caused by nutritional deficiencies.
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Objective
To assist developing world communities LEARN about and GROW, in their own ‘backyard’, the best local food plants that match their nutritional needs.
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Why Many local plants are nutritionally far
superior than ‘Western’ food crops.
Local plants thrive because they are naturally adapted to local conditions.
Wrong plantWrong plant Wrong placeWrong place
Wrong methodsWrong methods Wrong foodWrong food
An “aid” poster!
Cabbage: Wrong Plant - Wrong Place
Many plants have 10 to 100 times the amount of ironiron when compared to cabbage.
But how would you know?
The iron content of just some of the leafy green vegetables found in tropical regions of the world.
Learn ♦ Grow
Protein deficiency is a major problem in the tropical world, especially amongst women, children and the sick. Protein is needed for growth, health and overcoming sickness.
Green leafy vegetables – protein content
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4 timesProtein
8 timesVitamin A
20 timesVitamin C
8 timesIron
4 timesZinc
And it suits the tropics!
Cabbage
Momienh
OR
An example Vitamin C content tree fruits
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How are we going to do something with this?• Solomon Islands • Papua New Guinea• The Philippines• Other
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Measuring success
Adoption of local plant production
Increased levels of critical nutrients in the population
A direct reduction in nutritional deficiencies and disorders
A reduction in infant mortality at age 1 age 1 and 5
…these benchmarks will be monitored over time
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The next step - $100,000+
Deliver the Solomons’ program
Engage a partner
Bring external funding providers on board
Extend this program through Rotary International
Provide an information support base
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Act Directly
It is simple for any club or district to
incorporate LEARN ♦ GROW into existing
or new aid projects – identify the local
nutritional deficiencies in the population
and LEARN ♦ GROW can provide the
information!
Learn ♦ Grow Support Group
$10,000 = ‘Learn ♦ Grow Champion’
$1,0000 = ‘Learn ♦ Grow Ally’
Donation = ‘Learn ♦ Grow Mate’
‘Learn ♦ Grow Team’
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“Not only will nutritional food be more available... but those most at risk will have the DIGNITY of managing their own needs.”
Dr Eileen Gentilcore, RI
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Your help will mean….
Learn ♦ Grow
Rotary CAN makeRotary CAN make a difference.a difference.
Ask today how you can help!Ask today how you can help!
www.learngrow.org