Windhoek — Farm schools for vulnerable children affected HIV-AIDS are playing an increasingly important role in sub-Saharan Africa. The schools are teaching orphans vital farming and life skills, thus ensuring them sustainable livelihoods and long-term food security.

Such a school exists in northern Namibia. The Embassy of Finland funded the establishment of a pilot school project in Endola constituency in the Ohangwena Region about two years ago. The children are identified through regional councillors, traditional leaders, NGOs and local schools in Endola and are involved in agricultural activities and poultry farming.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) last week jointly published a new manual on how to set up a Junior Farmer Field and Life School (JFFLS). It is called 'Getting started' and can be downloaded from the FAO website free of charge.

HIV-AIDS has a tremendous impact on rural communities in Africa, particularly on children. "Children and youth are charged with the heaviest burden of the AIDS crisis," said Marcela Villarreal, Director of FAO's Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Division. "Without their parents, they become more vulnerable to hunger and poverty, disease, conflict, sexual exploitation, forced migration and environmental degradation. The schools are an attempt to give orphans the means and the confidence to survive in an often very difficult environment," she added. The number of orphans and other vulnerable children is growing in sub-Saharan Africa as a serious consequence of the HIV-AIDS epidemic, conflicts and displacement.

To date, sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than 40 million orphans, with an estimated 11,4 million children orphaned by AIDS. The highly successful JFFLS projects started in 2004, targeting several thousand youth in 11 African countries: Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Partners are national governments, non-governmental organisations, local institutions and WFP.

The JFFLS project seeks to improve the lives of children and youth aged 12 to 18 who live in food-insecure communities where HIV and AIDS have had a strong impact, particularly in rural areas. As parents and family members become ill, children often become directly involved in food production and processing. As a result, young girls and boys may have to drop out of school, either temporarily or permanently. During an entire agricultural season, a group of 30 boys and girls follow the life cycle of crops. The agricultural training covers field preparation, sowing, weeding, irrigation, pest control, use and conservation of available resources, food processing, harvesting, storage and marketing skills.

The schools pay particular attention to teaching local agricultural production skills that have not been passed down because of the early death of parents. "The youths learn about preventing plant pests and diseases. In the same way, they learn that they can protect themselves against risks such as HIV-IDS and other diseases," Villarreal said. The schools address a wide range of issues such as gender sensitivity, child protection, psychosocial support, nutrition education and business skills. Experience has shown that the schools provide a safe and social space for boys and girls, enabling them to develop their self-esteem and confidence.

Food support, provided by WFP, is an essential part of the JFFLS programme. "Providing a nutritional meal to children in the schools is both an incentive for them to attend lessons and gives them an energy boost to participate actively," said Robin Jackson, Chief of WFP's HIV-Aids Service. The local community plays an important role in monitoring and implementing the schools, including providing land and volunteers.

A JFFLS school is run by a small group of people, often including a local extension worker and a teacher.