About this project
Beautiful Periods Uganda has this cool project called the School Food Forest Initiative. Basically, they're turning worn-out school land in Eastern Uganda into food forests. These forests will be like outdoor classrooms where kids can learn about farming that works with nature, taking care of the climate, and eating healthier.
The area has lost a huge chunk of its forests like, over half! This is mostly because people are cutting down trees for charcoal, growing only sugarcane, and just not taking care of the land very well. All this has made it harder to grow food, the soil isn't as good, and lots of plants and animals are disappearing. This really hurts the kids in school and their families.
Goals and Objectives
Goal:
Fix messed-up land, make sure people have enough food, and give young people a boost with farm stuff and learning about the weather, all at school.
What we want to do:
Set up food gardens with local and fruit trees at 15 or so country schools.
Show students and teachers the ropes about eco-friendly farming, taking care of trees, and fixing the land.
Help students eat better and understand the environment by getting their hands dirty.
Get the community even more involved in fixing the land and protecting different plants and animals.
Make sure girls and other young people who don't always get a chance can step up and lead.
Who this is for:
Mostly, it's for kids (especially girls), teachers, and folks in the villages of Eastern Uganda. We picked these groups because schools are a big deal in country life, and kids can learn to take care of the land for good. Girls don't always get a fair shot in farming and dealing with weather stuff, so we're making a point to put them in charge.
What we expect to happen:
People will have more fresh fruit and better food.
People will learn about farming that's good for the weather and pick up skills.
There will be more trees and different plants and animals around schools and in the village.
The community will know more about fixing the environment and feel like it's their job.
Keeping it going and making it bigger:
When the project is done, school clubs will keep taking care of the food gardens with help from teachers and local tree experts. Parents and village leaders will keep an eye on things and help spread the word. It's cheap and easy to get involved, so other schools and areas can copy it. If we write everything down, team up with others, and line up with what the country wants, we can take this thing all over Uganda and even further.
Expected result
We're setting up 15 food forests at schools.
* Goal: Turn 15 empty schoolyards in Eastern Uganda into food forests.
* How we'll measure: Each spot will have at least 200 local and fruit trees.
* Can we do it?: Yep, with local help and trained teachers.
* Why it matters: Fixes bad land and poor diets.
* When: Done by 6 months, cared for up to 12 months.
We're planting 10,000 trees and keeping them alive.
* Goal: Plant 10,000 trees, fast-growing fruits (like mangoes and avocados) plus local trees.
* How we'll measure: Check tree survival every month, three times total.
* Can we do it?: Sure, with school clubs and forestry people.
* Why it matters: Makes the weather better, grabs carbon, and gets food to folks.
* When: Plant by 6 months; check on them at 6, 9, and 12 months.
We're training 1,500+ students and teachers about eco-stuff.
* Goal: Workshops and learning at all 15 schools.
* How we'll measure: At least 100 students & teachers trained per school, tested before and after.
* Can we do it?: Easy, with simple learning stuff and kids teaching each other.
* Why it matters: Creates a generation that cares about the planet.
* When: Training by 4 months, refreshers up to 12 months.
We're getting girls involved in leading eco-clubs.
* Goal: Girls in charge of school eco-clubs.
* How we'll measure: Keep track of boys and girls in each school.
* Can we do it?: Yes, with mentors and reaching out.
* Why it matters: Girls and boys have equal say in helping nature.
* When: Track from club start (2 months) until the project ends.
We're helping 5,000+ students eat better.
* Goal: Use school forest fruits to add to school lunches and snacks.
* How we'll measure: Watch fruit production and give it out.
* Can we do it?: Should start getting fruit from fast-growing trees by 10–12 months.
* Why it matters: Fixes hunger and poor nutrition in rural schools.
* When: Watch starting at 10 months.
Tracking and Checking Up
We'll use simple stuff like tree logs, sign-in sheets, photos, and surveys every three months. School staff, project people, and forestry folks will keep watch. We'll tell everyone what's up at meetings and use the info to do it again somewhere else.
About me / organisation
Ngobi Joel
Joel Ngobi, 29, is our Project Lead.
As the founder of Beautiful Periods Uganda and a Forest Restoration Steward, he's in charge of project design, keeping everything running smoothly, and working with everyone involved. He’s got over 7 years of experience with environmental projects led by young people and fixing up school environments.
Elizabeth Kitimbo, 28, heads up Operations.
She handles all the logistics, coordinates with schools, and makes sure stuff gets delivered. She’s great at getting the community involved and helping educate them.
Mukyaala Mary, 30, is our Communications Lead.
She's the one who captures all the stories and pictures from the field. She makes sure everyone knows what a difference the project is making.
Aisha Kayera, 26, is our Inclusion person.
She champions including everyone, no matter their gender or if they have a disability, so all young people can really take part in what we're doing.
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