Empty Stomachs of Children

The communities of the district of La Arena in Piura have historically battled against the adverse geographical attributes of the territory. The land in this region is characterized by arid soil and scarcity of water. This situation has made growing food difficult, which has caused generation after generation of children to suffer from diseases such as anemia and malnutrition.

Thus, in 2019, CHOICE Humanitarian in Peru began a health project aimed at combating both diseases with organic gardens that provide families with nutrient-dense food.

Growing Gardens and Filling Plates

In true CHOICE Humanitarian fashion, CHOICE technicians complemented the plant knowledge of local community members with new scientific strategies that allowed them to nourish the soil naturally as well as with available resources. Thus, the communities of Vichayal, Casa Grande, Loma Negra, Las Malvinas, Rio Viejo Norte, Chatito, Monte Grande, and Alto de Los Mores learned to prepare organic fertilizers, which turned the highly salty terrain into fertile spaces to plant greens and vegetables.

The result of this effort was the installation of 1,541 organic gardens, reaching a total production of more than 150,000 pounds of organic food during the three years that the project lasted. Community members managed to make their lands productive, obtain healthy foods that helped combat anemia in children, and develop an activity that allows them to generate economic income.

This project has expanded community members’ vision of what is possible in La Arena. The people are now educated on the endless possibilities of the resources available in their area and how these can positively impact their health and diet. It has also acted as a motivator to families to alter their daily habits to better their health.

María’s Grandchildren are Thriving

María Anastasio Nizama, a 62-year-old woman who lives in the Vichayal community in the La Arena District, is an example of a community member who has benefited from CHOICE Humanitarian’s anemia project. María, her daughter, Cecilia, and three grandchildren, Jahir, Andrea, and Elena, worked hard to install their family’s organic garden. She enthusiastically explained that her grandchildren learned about family farming and improved their nutrition thanks to the production of organic vegetables. With this food, her grandchildren’s vitality and energy increased, and they felt more encouraged to study and practice sports.

Doña María described the experience as unique since this type of project had never been implemented in Vichayal: “In our community, we have never had a project like this. Almost no one remembers this area. There was a small health post before, but it stopped working.”

The project has not only helped provide health, but it has also united the community due to the teamwork it took to obtain the organic food and sell it in the local markets. The children of the community can now live healthier and will have a future rich with opportunity. When asked about this project, María had this to say:

“These gardens are very helpful because we save money, and the vegetables are organic without chemicals. One of the things that caused us the most work was learning to sow in such an arid area, but with the help of the technicians, we’re learning.” María added, “Our children have more energy, they like to participate in the [caretaking of the] crops, and their grades at school are better. I believe that this is not only about planting some plants—we have received lessons that will serve us for a lifetime."