The Pygmy culture is under progressive pressure from governments as it does not fit in with mainstream culture. Pygmies have been forcibly removed from their hunting grounds and now live on the edge of forests but separated from society in general. This project encourages Pygmy parents to send their children to school because if the emerging Pygmy generation miss out on education, their future is bleak.
The number of children in school has risen from 10 to 119 since the project began. The challenge of feeding these children with a daily meal is significant since food and water have to be carried from a distance to premises near the school. There have also been sharp increases in the cost of food. Each child’s progress is individually assessed and those who do not show commitment are removed to give opportunity to others.
The plan is to provide training in practical skills such as tailoring, knitting, brick making, welding, and farming for those who have land. This will help to improve livelihoods and curb absenteeism from school.
