Access to safe food and clean water is a challenge for many. For the Batwa in East Africa, the changed usage of forests for other purposes has triggered their spiral into misery. In an agrarian country, weather conditions and droughts have varied unpredictably. Sustainable farming methods prevent problems caused by unsafe food.

Besides dirty drinking water, malnutrition, tattered clothing, and dirty conditions also cause problems. With Fida’s support, nutrition, and the livelihoods of the Batwa have improved, by teaching them sustainable farming methods and providing seeds and domestic animals.

Batwas’ Isidore Nyandwi and his wife Veneranda Harerimana, have received support from Fida’s project. The family lives in extreme poverty.

– We have been taught many farming techniques. We’ve learned how to set up a kitchen garden. The garden has been useful as it provides us with vegetables for our daily food needs.

According to Isidore Nyandwi, the garden has given their children food to eat after school, and seeds to grow food.

Clean water is a prerequisite for a safe life

Water is the most important resource. Drought and access to clean water are problems particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The lack of water impedes safe food production and causes conflict when people must move to more livable areas.

When food safety is compromised, food-related diseases increase. Poverty, disease, and infant mortality go hand in hand.

Every day, up to 800 children under the age of five die from diseases caused by dirty water and poor hygiene, such as diarrhea. More than 20 million people worldwide are affected by food safety.

One of the UN’s 2030 Agenda goals is to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all. Fida works to increase sustainable farming methods and food safety in Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.