Page 3 - The Daily Builder - Day 03
P. 3

School milk feeding programs, like the one Heifer building in Tanzania, play a crucial role in developing good   Workers at a collection facility test milk for freshness. Since all the milk is locally produced, the program is
 nutritional habits for kids. Heifer has seen time and again how milk positively affects children’s health, enabling   helping smallholder farmers earn income to support their families.
 them to focus on learning, perform better in school, and be more energetic and alert. A daily glass of milk is a
 treat that few families have the means to provide, so having it available in school is vital.  skins, pass for lunch most days,  levels of local children improve,  so does the local economy, thanks
          and Izabela sometimes pops a  so does the local economy, thanks  to this strengthening connection
 A ThirsT for Knowledge  few into her pockets in case she  to this strengthening connection  between dairy farmers who need
          needs a snack. This bare-bones  between dairy farmers who need  customers and children whose
          lifestyle is common in the region,  customers and children whose  bodies are thirsty for calcium and
 By Austin Bailey  improved health all around.  The milk, she said, “gives  me   and Izabela’s low-nutrient, low- bodies are thirsty for calcium and  protein.  Glowing testimonials
 Photos by Phillip Davis  The benefits were immediate  energy to listen to the teacher and   energy diet is typical among  protein.  Glowing  testimonials  from the children, parents and
 when Heifer International’s School  answer questions, and to write.”  her classmates. A daily glass of  from the children, parents and  teachers benefiting from the
 It’s not clear if it’s the sweet  Milk Program launched in July   Izabela’s family of four lives in   milk is a treat that few families  teachers benefiting from the  School Milk Program become the
 taste of milk that lures 7-year-  2017, Izabela’s  mom, Justina  two church van-sized buildings,   here have the means to provide.  School Milk Program become the  best possible advertisements for
 old Izabela Sambanae up the  Mgimbadzu, reports. The daughter  one made of adobe walls and   “We’re thankful for the milk  best possible advertisements for  dairy farmers looking to expand
 hill to school each morning, or  who used to sleep in or skip school  thatched with grass, the other of   being supplied,” Mgimbadzu  dairy farmers looking to expand  their customer base.
 if the daily protein boost to her  altogether now wakes herself  mud brick with a metal roof. The   said. “Izabela has better health  their customer base.  The School Milk Program is part
 otherwise  starchy diet simply  and darts up the hill to Itunduma  small, squat buildings bracket   and more energy.”  And it’s not just children  of a sophisticated plan to make
 gives her enough energy to  Primary without being asked. Tiny  a packed-dirt courtyard shaded   And it’s not just children  drinking the milk who benefit  sure demand continues to grow
 wake  up early and get  going.  Izabela’s newfound strength is  by a  mulberry tree,  and  rows   drinking the milk who benefit  from this project. This new  by cultivating a new generation of
 Regardless, the pouches of cold,  evident when she hoists her 2-year-  of crops surround the modest   from this project. This new  program takes aim at two  customers. Students who get  free
 fresh milk Izabela and other  old brother Musa, who is possibly  homestead. Farming the adjacent   program takes aim at two  challenges at once, attacking  milk at school are walking, talking
 students at Itunduma  Primary  heavier than she is, on to her lap.  acre of land yields enough maize   challenges at once, attacking  malnutrition while also helping  testimonials to the benefits of dairy
 School drink each morning are  Izabela’s grades are among the  and sweet potatoes for the family,   malnutrition while also helping  dairy farmers cultivate new  foods. As these students enjoy the
 fueling soaring attendance rates,  best in her class, and she’s feeling  but no more. The skinny white   dairy farmers cultivate new  markets. As the health and energy  good health and clear thinking
 better concentration in class, and  confident about her school work.  sweet potatoes, boiled in their   markets. As the health and energy  levels of local children improve,   Continued on page 4



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