Maravi

Food security is key to growth, says Storella

COMMENT - 'Odd' that all this 'help' includes population control.

Food security is key to growth, says Storella
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Tue 08 Feb. 2011, 04:01 CAT

FOOD security is key to economic growth and poverty reduction, says the United States envoy.

During the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps and the education trainees ring-in ceremony on Sunday, Ambassador Mark Storella said all volunteers in Zambia were also trained to promote food security in their communities. Ambassador Storella also said prevention of HIV and AIDS was not an easy task but was an essential one.

He said the United States government generously supports Zambia’s efforts to reduce the transmission of HIV, eliminate stigma confronting people living with HIV and AIDS and providing quality treatment services and life prolonging antiretroviral drugs for those who need such drugs.

Ambassador Storella said no matter what the volunteers’ primary assignment, all Peace Corps were trained to engage their communities on programmes to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS.

And education deputy minister Boniface Kawimbe said ARVs would still have been out of reach of many people if the donors had not supported Zambia in the antiretroviral treatment.

Kawimbe said the volunteers would serve in six provinces to address local education issues, with a special focus on educating girls.

“We know that when you educate a girl you release a dynamo that will have tremendous impact on poverty reduction. We know that an educated girl adopts household sanitary practices that benefit the whole family. We know that an educated girl gets married later in life and has fewer children. And an educated girl becomes an educated mother who is committed to educating her children,” said Kawimbe.

And Peace Corps country director Tom Kennedy said the mission of the Peace Corps was to promote world peace and friendship.

“This mission is as important today as it was when Peace Corps was founded 50 years ago,” said Kennedy.

Labels: ARVs, FOOD, MARK STORELLA, POPULATION CONTROL

posted by MrK @ 5:55 AM