Plant more Fruit Crops for a better living

Children go to school to learn. But, what do they learn? Schools are recognized as not only places
of formal education, but also as critical settings to foster health, development and overall well-being
of pupils and their families.

Fruits trees for instance, in the school environment, provide several benefits to the learning and can contribute to a diversified healthy diet and better nutrition. Fruits, nuts and certain oils deliver important nutrients such as vitamins A, C, B, selenium, zinc, dietary fiber, complex sugars etc. for healthy, strong bodies and minds. Moreover, avocadoes and olives for example are good sources of mono and polyunsaturated oils, which are good for a healthy
heart.

Therefore, building awareness and appreciation for trees is important, particularly among school-age children. Incorporating (fruit, nut and oil) trees into school gardens expands the knowledge of students.

Trees in the school environment – learning for better nutrition School gardens in the learning environment Comprehensive models of action are currently being promoted by DLLN-U , whereby schools can develop multiple-win situations and positive outcomes in learning performance, food security, nutrition, rural development, local economy and lifestyle practices and habits on how to make compost, how to graft fruit trees, and how to plant and care for trees.

During harvest time, pupils (and even teachers and a wider local community) can learn about proper picking, handling, processing and storage, preparation, serving and eating.

The benefits of trees go beyond just food security and nutrition. Environmentally, trees can act as windbreaks and shade while contributing to and improving local biodiversity.

Students of center for evangelism Namusis  aided by the DLLN-Uganda staff  being trained on how to make and prepare holes for planting fruit trees in their compound. this is one of the ways we can safe guard our environments because trees are being cut to burn charcoal but fruit trees won’t be cut.