Zimbabwe, New Start Children’s Centre

Located in Waterfalls, 20 kilometres south of Harare , the New Start Children's Centre houses children orphaned as a result of the HIV / AIDS pandemic. The orphanage started to grow vegetables and food crops on a small scale with the aim of feeding orphans and vulnerable children within the community. However, with Zimbabwe in economic crisis, funding from the government had virtually ceased and meant the orphanage had to seek external support.

IDE stepped in to help, and with support from a number of partners, introduced the Sweet Potato Project to the orphanage and other organisations in Harare 's high density suburbs in January 2005. IDE set up a drip irrigation system on the orphanage's plot and also trained orphanage staff in micro irrigation. As well as nursery management, the staff were fully trained in how to use sweet potatoes in a number of ways that would appeal to the orphans.

To date the orphanage has grown over 1000kg of sweet potatoes with more to be harvested. The plot has also increased in size from 200m² to 1000m². A number of the sweet potato products, such as mashed sweet potato, chips and muffins have proved popular with the children and have had a positive effect on their health.

Dr Faraq is now not only able to feed the orphans nutritious meals every day but also provides sweet potatoes to vulnerable children in the wider community.

Click here for our delicious Sweet Potato Muffin recipe!