The Ethiopian school with an agriculture initiative that empowers mothers with meaningful work while feeding over 2372 (1072 Male and 1300 Female) students
Gelan Number 2 Pre-Primary and Primary School, a state kindergarten and primary school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is giving students and their families in the area the means to feed themselves and earn an income, while providing a practical learning experience through its sustainable agriculture initiative. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the school was forced to suspend its feeding programme, leaving many mothers without access to an income and unable to provide basic necessities or food for their children. Recognising the urgency of this issue, the school took a proactive approach by implementing a sustainable agricultural project.
After seeing the success of the initiative during the pandemic period, the school developed a structured, sustainable programme that now includes mothers and students, giving them hands-on experience in farming and environmental care. Teachers incorporate the practical aspects of farming into classroom lessons, making learning more engaging and effective. Then students can apply that learning outside the classroom to practice eco-friendly agricultural techniques, understand the planting process to maximise yields, and build sustainable practices to guard the environment. The real-world farming experience drives the understanding of agricultural concepts while building teamwork, leadership, and self-worth.
The harvested produce is used in the school feeding programme, and many students who lacked access to proper meals now receive fresh, nutrient-rich food daily. Mothers and guardians who were previously struggling financially now have a steady source of income. The initiative has created a strong sense of community within the school, with parents, teachers, and students working collaboratively to maintain the programme. To sustain the project, the school has built close partnerships with the district agricultural office, local community organisations, and international NGOs such as Farm Africa that provide farming resources, capacity-building for mothers, and ongoing technical support.
Since the programme's inception in 2020, enrolment has increased by 20%. Over 2,372 students get fed daily from fresh, locally grown produce, and malnutrition has dropped by 30%. Household income has increased by an estimated 30%, with more than 100 mothers and guardians now able to sell their produce to the school. Teachers report that students show heightened interest in agricultural subjects, with 85% stating they better understand farming concepts because of the hands-on experience.
The sustainable project proves that education, community involvement and sustainability can intersect to create lasting positive change.
