Medical Ambassadors International and Global CHE Network
TREES FOR LIFE (THE MORINGA CAMPAIGN)
INTRODUCTION: This story describes the work of villages in India who planted Moringa trees as a way
to prevent malnutrition. The story is adapted from Trees for Life International.
STORY:
Vitamin A deficiency is a killer. It is a leading cause of childhood death in developing countries of the
world.
Normally, vitamin A acts as a shield against disease. But malnourished people who lack this vitamin are
left defenseless. They easily fall victim to a host of common illnesses, as well as measles, cataracts, and
diseases of the skin and eyes. Each year, more than 500,000 children go blind and millions die because
of vitamin A deficiency.
Fortunately, in most developing countries there grows the drumstick or Moringa tree, whose leaves
contain four times as much vitamin A as carrots.
The drumstick tree, or Moringa tree, named for its long bean-like fruit, produces fruit and leaves for more
than nine months of the year. It grows rapidly even in poor soils, does not need artificial fertilizers or
pesticides, and requires very little space to thrive.
While science sings the praises of Moringa tree leaves, knowledge of their life-saving health benefits has
not reached the very poor people who need it most. Trees for Life responded to that challenge and
created a campaign in twenty villages in one of the poorest areas of India.
Activities were developed for school students, youth, women, and the entire village. The campaign began
with an explosion of enthusiasm from the village school students. They learned about Moringa leaves in
school, then pledged to spread the message and to help at least two other people plant Moringa trees.
The women took great interest in the value of Moringa leaves, since they decide what to cook in their
homes. Concerned about the health of their families, they were often surprised with the high nutritional
value of the leaves.
The village youth were eager to learn leadership skills and serve their communities. They helped organize
and plan the campaign activities, worked with school students tending Moringa tree nurseries, and
learned how to effectively share the message with groups of villagers.
Uniting in celebration, everyone in the village comes together for a day-long festival focused on sharing
the message of Moringa leaves. As one village elder put it, "The seeds we are planting will bear lots of
fruits - in more than one way." In this campaign, thousands of villagers learned the life-saving value of
Moringa leaves and planted Moringa trees.
----SHO questions---S = What do you See?
H = What is Happening?
O = Does this happen in Our place?
DISCUSSION: (Use some of these questions, or add your own.)
Observation questions: (What happened?)
 Would anyone like to retell the story of Trees for Life?
 What did the students do?
 What did the women do?
 What did the village youth do?
 What happened as a result?
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TREES FOR LIFE (THE MORINGA CAMPAIGN)
Interpretation questions: (Why?)
 What are vitamins? (You only need to eat small amounts of vitamins. They help to protect your body.)
 What problems does a lack of Vitamin A cause?
 What is a good source of Vitamin A?
 What are some advantages of the Moringa tree?
 Why is it important to plant Moringa trees and cook with Moringa leaves?
 The village elder said, "The seeds we are planting will bear lots of fruits - in more than one way." What
did he mean? What are some fruits of the Moringa campaign? What did they learn to do?
Application questions:
 Have people from your area ever worked together on a project?
 Does Moringa grow in your area?
 Are you interested in planting Moringa trees?
 How could you work together to plant Moringa trees in your area?
TELLING THE STORY
 Divide into pairs to practice telling this story.
 During the week, tell your family, friends and neighbors the story of Trees for Life.
Adapted from:
Trees for Life International. 2011. Available from: http://www.treesforlife.org/our-work/our-stories/asia/fruits-of-love
This lesson is used in: Appropriate Technology/Moringa and in Nutrition
Children distribute tree seedlings
Source Trees for Life International, 2011
The Moringa Tree
Source: Trees for Life International, 2011