Tag: bananas

Bunches of Bananas

Students at Bright Futures Secondary School are reaping the rewards of their hard work.

Sarah’s blog 2/5/26

Last week Levison had the devastating news that lots of maize had been stolen from one of the fields. All their hard work gone. Future food for the children gone. Can you imagine how heart breaking this would be?

But here is some wonderful good news to share. The banana tubers that the students at Bright Futures Secondary School worked hard to plant, now have some bunches of bananas! Hard work is reaping rewards for the students in this project. This is a fantastic boost for them. Remember most of these students are orphans, living in extreme poverty with extended family. Their only food is the free lunch they are given at school each day. So this is a big deal for them.

Also banana tubers were shared with Chambo Primary School and they too have bananas… hopefully we will get an update from Chambo Primary next week.

The students at Bright Futures Secondary School are going to keep some bananas to eat but are going to sell the majority. They have been asked to think about what they should purchase with the funds from the sale of their bananas. And we look forward to hearing some of their ideas. I wonder what they will suggest?

This practical agriculture lesson has taught the students how to grow bananas should they wish to become farmers after they leave school. However, their learning is being extended by teaching them business skills and how to become self-sufficient. They will only be able to spend what someone is prepared to pay for their bananas.

Here are some quotes from students at BFSS.

Lloyd told Levison, ‘I am happy to see the saplings we planted a few months ago giving us fruits. I will make sure I plant some bananas for my family.’

A quote from Hilda, ‘I am just happy to be part of this gardening team.’

Saviour added, ‘Thanks to our supporters for giving us this opportunity to learn how to grow bananas. The skills will help me to earn money when I finish school.’

Will they choose to buy more banana tubers? Or some seeds or fertiliser? Or something they need for their classroom? A vote will be taken so that the students know their voices are being heard and that they are involved in shaping their own education and brighter future. Hope you enjoy these photos. Thanks again for supporting us to continue Changing Lives (in) Malawi, Sarah x

PS it’s only just over two weeks until Liz and I head off to Malawi for a fortnight. We are so looking forward to meeting everyone there and seeing projects like this. Will you support us to help vulnerable children while we are in Malawi? You can click on the link here and read about our trip and make a donation https://gofund.me/5d34c8533 . Alternatively, send an email to contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com for bank details or make a donation through our website. Every little helps as the saying goes! And we are very grateful to all of our supporters. Thanks again, Sarah

Bananas – a sustainable project

Chambo Primary School Orchard

We are delighted to have been able to help Chambo Primary School with this tree planting initiative thanks to receiving a grant we applied for.

Sarah’s blog 27/1/25

Today’s blog is about the students at Chambo Primary School. Most of the orphans and other vulnerable children who attend the weekly feeding programme, attend Chambo Primary School. There are no big charities feeding children in schools in the far north of Malawi. So, we are trying to support them with being able to grow their own food and also have a sustainable source of income.

I applied for a grant from The CB & HH Taylor 1984 Trust and was delighted and very thankful that my application was successful. Children learn Agriculture as part of their core curriculum in Malawi so were keen to do practical lessons too. Gardening tools and watering cans were bought for use by the school. Children from different classes helped to clear the ground and dig holes.

In December lots of banana tubers were planted by the students. These grow quite quickly. A variety of fruit tree saplings and pine tree saplings were planted last week. The students are learning about the benefits of planting the pine tree saplings as well as the plants that are able to produce fruit. During the rainy season, pine trees will help to prevent soil erosion, will give shade, give shelter to wildlife and be good for the planet. Also, when the pine trees produce pine cones, the children will be able to collect those and plant them to produce more saplings.

Schools are being encouraged to support reforestation so everyone is very excited by this initial stage of the project. The teachers at Chambo Primary are very thankful for the practical support and, once they have supported the children with growing these plants, there will be opportunity to gift additional plants to them in future.

Many thanks to the trustees of The CB & HH Taylor 1984 Trust for their support with this project. What we would also like to support students at Chambo Primary School and Bright Futures Secondary school with is to have a stock of wellington boots that they can use for their practical agricultural lessons. Their footwear is not really suitable for muddy conditions, nor is it sturdy for when they are working with gardening tools. Also children only have one pair of shoes (if they do own shoes) and we don’t want their shoes to be ruined by the mud.

We have set up this small fundraiser https://donorsee.com/project/26186?share=1 so if you are able to help to buy a pair of wellington boots we would be very grateful. Enjoy these photos and videos and thank you for your support, Sarah x

banana planting

pine tree planting

Bananas – a sustainable project

Projects like this are going to make a huge difference both in education and generating income. Have a look at these great photos and see what the next project will be.

Sarah’s blog 28/11/24

Thanks to money we have received from generous donors, banana suckers have been bought and the students at Bright Futures Secondary School planted them yesterday.

Banana plants grow quickly and can be split to grow more plants so everyone is very excited for this sustainable project. As well as being able to grow their own food, the students are learning about being self-sufficient and learning skills for life in their practical agriculture classes. Hopefully, they will be able to sell some of the bananas and use that money to buy seeds or other things the school might need.

The aim is to set up lots of income generating projects that will help the community be self-sufficient and provide a good educational opportunity. We are trying to raise funds to make beehives and start a beekeeping project at Bright Futures Secondary School. Would you help us with this project please? https://donorsee.com/project/25476?share=1 The more practical learning opportunities the students get, the better equipped for life they will be. The more income generating, sustainable projects we help them set up, the quicker they will become self-sufficient.

Teachers and students worked hard yesterday with planting. The roots of the banana suckers have to be treated to prevent some diseases/pests, which is why they are being dipped prior to planting. I hope you enjoy the photos and videos. Thanks to everyone who helped with this project. When the heavier rains come, then more fruit tree saplings will be planted too. Together we are Changing Lives (in) Malawi. Thanks, Sarah x