Egg Farmers of Canada announced details of their partnership with Heart for Africa’s Project Canaan, an initiative that will help address food insecurity and feed orphaned children in Swaziland by sharing Canadian expertise on sustainable farming.
One in three people in Swaziland are undernourished, with more than 200,000 orphans and vulnerable children living in the country. Currently over 1.2 million people in Swaziland depend on subsistence farming, a practice that limits food availability and progress in the region. A recent survey conducted by Vision Critical and commissioned by Egg Farmers of Canada also found that 84% of Canadians agree more can be done to help those in the developing world gain reliable access to nutritious and healthy food.
With the support of Egg Farmers of Canada, Heart for Africa’s Project Canaan will continue to expand with the addition of a new egg farm that will help feed orphaned children and teach Swazi locals world-class farming practices commonly used throughout Canada. The initiative is expected to impact thousands of people living in the region by providing high-quality protein that’s essential for human growth and development.
“Sustainable agriculture is crucial for countries experiencing food insecurity and malnutrition,” says Tim Lambert, CEO of Egg Farmers of Canada, who visited Swaziland in June. “This is particularly important when looking at orphaned and malnourished children. I’ve seen first-hand what a difference our farmers can make by sharing their expertise and knowledge. “
Poor nutrition and low protein diet are among the main reasons why the vaccine programs do not work well in Swaziland. Human immune system needs high quality protein to function and to respond well to vaccines. With 6 grams of protein and 14 key nutrients, eggs are one of the most accessible and affordable form of animal protein there is.
“Egg farming is the perfect way to assure protein and vitamins are incorporated into the diet of orphaned children and disadvantaged adults living in this very special country,” adds Peter Clarke, Chairman of Egg Farmers of Canada, who visited Swaziland in June.
At home, a survey commissioned by Egg Farmers of Canada revealed 95% of Canadians agree that adequate access to protein is essential to a person’s overall health and wellbeing and 86% of them say they eat eggs as an affordable source of high-quality protein, vitamins and nutrients.
