At 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) above sea level, the temperature in El Alto, Bolivia, changes drastically from morning to midday and at night becomes too cold for many plants to survive. With such a harsh climate for food production, most families have grown accustomed to a diet of only meat and potatoes. Children in particular suffer from the lack of nutrients.
Now, with help from the Church food initiative, families are learning to create a suitable climate for gardening using small, underground "greenhouses" they call panqar huyu. A roof made of inexpensive clear plastic covers the greenhouse and allows sunlight in, facilitating plant growth and warming the surrounding soil. At night, the warmed soil radiates heat back into the greenhouse.
With one of these simple structures, a family can produce up to six pounds of greens every three to four weeks, adding a substantial amount of essential nutrients to their diets. And with nearly 100 greenhouses already built, families are now working to tackle their next obstacle: getting their children to eat the vegetables they grow.
Volunteers and staff with the food initiative are teaching both parents and children about the nutritional benefits of vegetables through nutrition classes and workshops held in schools and at churches. Families are also learning ways to prepare the vegetables. They have already noticed a positive difference in their children's health and performance at school and in other activities—just from eating a few vegetables each day.