Grant Report Update: Notre Dame Hostel Shinyanga
The Sisters of Notre Dame believe in Justice Peace and Integrity of creation in supplying of resources to the people we serve. Food and water are among the basic needs for human life. The Sisters are called to find just solutions to support the needy and those who suffer these impacts. Shinyanga Region experiences prolonged dry seasons which leads to drying up of wells and any other water source. The food provision become scarce and costly. This makes the girls in the Hostel to suffer from urinary tract infections, skin infections, and other dietary illnesses due to lack of sufficient clean water for sanitation use, drinking and other needs. They also lack the vegetables and fruits which would keep them protected from infectious diseases. This project delivers justice and integrity to the Girls in the Boarding that are under the care of the sisters by providing food and water.
With a grant from the Hilton Fund for Sisters, a check dam was created to collect rain water for greenhouse farming to increase food production and improve student’s diet through provision of fruits and vegetables. Produce are very scarce in the nearby markets. Gutters, a storage tank and connecting pipes were purchased to distribute water around the property for irrigation, cleaning, and cooking, and
bathing. A greenhouse for growing a wider variety of food was established. The first harvest has already been reaped. The water collected in the check dam has been used to irrigate the rice crop, leading to double the harvest. The excess water was also channeled for fruits cultivation and open drip irrigation. This has contribution to the cultivation of banana, watermelon and papaya fruits as well as sugarcane which the students enjoy much. There is improvement in cleaning and sanitation practices in the hostel. With sufficient water the girls can do good cleaning, wash their clothes and bath regularly.
There is now sufficient safe and clean water and healthy and variety food supply to the community that is being served by the sisters. People no longer believe harvest cultivation in this particular area to be in vain. They are also actively engaged in harvest and planting of the seedlings and watering and tending along the way. The greenhouse farming has been part of practical teaching and learning for the teachers and students. The diet for the sisters and the students has improved greatly, which has led to their good health and protection from dietary diseases. 95% of the girls who suffered from skin and urinary truck infections due to the use of unsafe water has reduced and medical money saved for other purposes. The girls can now settle in their classes on time as their studies are not affected by time they spend waiting for water shifts for cleaning, bathing, and other needs. The hostel’s self-sustenance has attained 97% due to savings on water and food supply.
We the sisters of Notre Dame Shinyanga Community, the Girls in the Hostel and all the staff feel so grateful to the Hilton Fund for Sisters Team for the great support you offered to us during this great time of need. We thank you for your timely support and the improvement you have enabled us to achieve. We shall continue to nurture the gift you have given us in gratitude for your generosity. God Bless you!
