Moringa oleifera is a tree, also known as “the miracle tree” for its ability to offer nutritious food, clean water, and medicine. Moringa is easily propagated and it has the ability to thrive under difficult conditions, making it an ideal tree to be grown
in both Haiti and Uganda. Given the anecdotal evidence of moringa combined with the superior nutritional profile of the leaves, it is believed to be an important resource in the fight against global malnutrition (Fuglie, 1999).
Specifically, dried moringa leaf powder, when added to food, is a significant source of vitamins, minerals, protein and sufficient quantities of all essential amino acids (Fuglie, 1999).
Hunger is the world’s number one health risk; it kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Worldwide, more than 1 billion people are currently facing chronic hunger (FAO, 2009) and undernutrition contributes to five million deaths of children under five each year (UNICEF, 2008). Village Partners International recognizes the reduction of malnutrition as a primary prevention to other life threatening diseases.
In an effort to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition in both Mombin Crochu, Haiti and Papoli, Uganda, VPI is assisting community members in starting a self-sustaining, community based moringa project in both locations.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2009). The State of Food Insecurity in the World: Economic crises – impacts and lessons learned. Rome: FAO.
Fuglie LJ. 1999. The Miracle Tree: Moringa oleifera: Natural nutrition for the tropics. Church World Service, Dakar, 68 pp; revised in 2001 and published as The Miracle Tree: The Multiple Attributes of Moringa.
UNICEF. 2008. The State of the World’s Children 2008: Women and Children – Child Survival.
