Baobab

FC Students Create Baobab Initiative in Zambia

The Baobab Initiative is an independent enterprise that benefits Makumba Village which is in Zambia near the border with Malawi. The town is affectionately called Baobab Village because of the immense Baobab tree that stands in front of it. The Baobab tree is best known for its ability to store over 120,000 liters of water in its trunk in order to survive the harsh conditions of drought. This Initiative began as a result of an Academic Travel conducted by Professor Anne Flutti in October, 2003, to Malawi and Zambia to learn about an organic farming method known as “permaculture,” a contraction of the words permanent and agriculture.

From the beginning, Franklin students realized that without education and adequate food, the lively and affectionate village children faced a difficult future. “The students wanted to do more than just give the children t-shirts,” remembers Flutti, Professor of Biology at Franklin College.

The Baobab Initiative was begun in October, 2004, by Laura Marsala, Justin Niles, and Danielle Benent and now boasts over 30 full-time members and countless supporters. In the years of commitment to the cause, the students have devised a plan to raise funds and to help the villagers help themselves. A much-needed infrastructure has been set up, and resources to start the people of the village on their journey towards prosperity have been offered and are now showing progress.

During Professor Flutti’s special Academic Travel to Baobab Village in June, 2005, the garden that had been started by Franklin students and based on “permaculture” was found to be flourishing. Even more incredibly, all the children were regularly attending school. Over the past several years, the Baobab Initiative has made possible the continuing education of these children. The most recent Academic Travel to the village in the fall of 2007 allowed students to realize once again the fruits of their efforts and also to commission for the new water well which was dug by the villagers to be lined with brick.

The efforts are ongoing. The next big educational project is to provide a scholarship fund for the older students who have an interest in furthering their education. The Initiative has begun to expand to surrounding communities as a result of increased dedication from neighbors in the local area. The Initiative also hopes to assist Mphata Primary School, which is attended by several of the village children, in its efforts to build a new classroom.

The Baobab Initiative continues to grow in size, capability and accomplishments at Franklin College. There is a Board of Directors, including Professor Flutti and Franc Gallarate. Election of officers is biannual and democractic. Currently, a group of committed students, including new members, continues to work on promoting the name and cause of the Baobab Initiative throughout the Franklin College network and in the Ticinese community in conjunction with alumna Laura Marsala ’06, Head Coordinator Chelsea Keeton, Financial Officer Philip Hirth, Events Coordinator Ryan Fisher, Communications Officer Alyssa Roland, Student Assembly Liaison Brent Giangregorio and Volunteer Coordinators Anna Peirano and Gabbi Ippolito. Returning active officers Lauren Gagliano and Eric Saline will be enthusiastically received next semester when they return from Semester at Sea. "Our progress is growing and so is the Initiative. It's quite exciting to see what the future holds!" says Keeton.