FIRST NAME(s): ……………………………………………………………………..

SURNAME: ……………………………………………………………………………

CANDIDATE NUMBER: …………………………………………………………….

SCHOOL: GLEN VIEW 8 PRIMARY SCHOOL

CENTRE NUMBER: ………………………………………………………………….

GRADE: 7 ……………………………………………………………………………….

PROJECT TITLE: CURES FOR DEFICIENCY DISEASES IN THE GLEN VIEW 8

COMMUNITY

SUBJECT AREA: SCIENCE

TEACHER’S NAME: ……………………………………………………………………

 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Introduction

This project investigates the cures and treatments for deficiency diseases used in the Glen
View 8 community in Harare, Zimbabwe. Deficiency diseases, such as anaemia, scurvy, and
rickets, result from a lack of essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, affecting health
and well-being. By exploring local remedies, medical treatments, and preventive measures,
this project aligns with the Grade 7 science curriculum, focusing on human health, nutrition,
and community-based solutions.

Problem Description

In Glen View 8, deficiency diseases are common due to limited access to nutritious foods,
driven by poverty and unemployment. Many families rely on starchy diets with minimal
fruits, vegetables, or proteins, leading to conditions like anaemia (iron deficiency), scurvy
(vitamin C deficiency), and rickets (vitamin D deficiency). While some community members
use traditional remedies or medical interventions, awareness and access to effective cures
remain limited. Understanding and promoting these cures could improve health outcomes.

Statement of Intent

I plan to create a campaign to educate the Glen View 8 community and my peers about cures
for deficiency diseases. The campaign will include research on local treatments, a school
event to showcase findings, and practical recommendations for preventing and treating these
diseases. The project will use engaging materials to raise awareness and encourage healthy
practices.

Design Specifications

The final campaign must:

 Identify at least three deficiency diseases and their cures used in Glen View 8.
 Include an educational event to demonstrate treatments and preventive measures.
 Use engaging materials (e.g., posters, models) to promote awareness.
 Propose practical, affordable solutions for treating and preventing deficiency diseases.
 Align with Grade 7 science curriculum goals on health and nutrition.

Project Aims
By the end of the project, I aim to:

 Document cures and preventive measures for deficiency diseases in Glen View 8.
 Educate students and the community about effective treatments and nutrition.
 Propose affordable solutions to improve health and reduce deficiency diseases.
 Present findings through an engaging school-based campaign.
 CHAPTER TWO: RESEARCH ON DEFICIENCY DISEASES AND THEIR CURES

Overview of Deficiency Diseases

Deficiency diseases occur when the body lacks essential nutrients, causing health issues:

 Anaemia: Caused by insufficient iron, leading to fatigue and weakness. Common in

Glen View 8 due to diets low in iron-rich foods like spinach or liver.
 Scurvy: Results from vitamin C deficiency, causing bleeding gums and slow healing.
Rare but present where fruits like oranges are scarce.
 Rickets: Caused by vitamin D or calcium deficiency, leading to weak bones in
children. Seen in areas with limited sunlight exposure or dairy intake.

Cures and Treatments

Medical Treatments:

 Anaemia: Iron supplements (e.g., ferrous sulphate tablets) prescribed at clinics. WHO
reports 20% of Zimbabwean children receive iron supplements.
 Scurvy: Vitamin C tablets or injections, available at health centers. Severe cases may
require hospital care.
 Rickets: Vitamin D supplements and calcium-rich foods (e.g., milk, fortified maize).
Clinics in Harare distribute supplements through child health programs.

Traditional Remedies:

 In Zimbabwe, communities use moringa leaves (rich in iron and vitamin C) to treat
anaemia and scurvy. Moringa is grown locally and affordable.
 Baobab fruit, high in vitamin C, is used to prevent scurvy in some households.
 Sunlight exposure is encouraged for rickets, as it boosts vitamin D production.

Preventive Measures:

 School feeding programs, like those by UNICEF, provide fortified porridge to combat
deficiencies.
 Community gardens promote growing vegetables like kale or pumpkins, rich in
vitamins A and C.

Local and Global Context

In Glen View 8, clinics offer free or low-cost supplements, but awareness is low, and supplies
are inconsistent (Zimbabwe Ministry of Health, 2023). Globally, India’s Mid-Day Meal
Scheme provides iron-fortified meals to schoolchildren, reducing anemia by 15%. Nigeria’s
vitamin A campaigns distribute supplements, lowering deficiency rates by 20%. These
examples suggest that combining medical treatments with community education and
affordable foods could benefit Glen View 8.
 CHAPTER THREE: DATA COLLECTION

Methodology

To investigate cures for deficiency diseases in Glen View 8, I used:

Interviews: Conducted with:

 A science teacher at my school.

 The school nurse.
 Two community health workers at Glen View 8 clinic.
 Five parents (three women, two men).
 Ten community members (five adults, five children).

Data Collection Steps

 Interviews: Conducted between June 1-7, 2025, using open-ended questions (e.g.,
“What treatments do you use for tiredness or weak bones?”). Interviews were held at
school, the clinic, and community homes.

 Observations: Visited the clinic on June 5, 2025, to note available supplements and
educational materials. Visited markets on June 6, 2025, to record food types and
prices.
 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS

Interview Findings

 Science Teacher: Explained that anaemia is treated with iron tablets from clinics and
moringa leaves at home. Suggested school gardens to grow nutrient-rich crops.

 School Nurse: Noted that 20-30% of students show anaemia symptoms, treated with
free iron supplements when available. Vitamin C tablets are given for scurvy but are
often out of stock.

 Community Health Workers: Reported that anaemia is the most common deficiency
disease, treated with supplements and dietary advice. Moringa and baobab are popular
home remedies. Rickets is rare but treated with vitamin D supplements.

 Parents: Three parents used moringa powder for children’s fatigue, unaware of its
link to anaemia. Two mentioned sunlight exposure for bone health but lacked
knowledge of rickets.

 Community Members: Adults used local herbs like moringa for energy, while
children were unfamiliar with deficiency disease treatments but ate vegetables when
available.

Market and Clinic Observations

 Glen View 8 clinic provides free iron and vitamin C supplements, but stockouts occur
monthly. Educational posters on nutrition are present but rarely read.

 Markets sell moringa leaves ($0.20/bundle) and baobab fruit ($0.50/pack), affordable
but not widely purchased. Vegetables like kale ($0.30/kg) are available but less
common than maize meal.

Analysis

 Anaemia is the most prevalent deficiency disease in Glen View 8, treated with
supplements and moringa, but awareness of treatments is low.

 Scurvy and rickets are less common, with vitamin C tablets and sunlight exposure
used as cures, respectively, though access to supplements is inconsistent.

 Community reliance on traditional remedies like moringa is promising, but education

is needed to increase their use and promote preventive diets.
 CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusion

This project identified anaemia, scurvy, and rickets as key deficiency diseases in Glen View
8, with cures including iron and vitamin supplements, moringa leaves, baobab fruit, and
sunlight exposure. Low awareness and inconsistent access to medical treatments highlight the
need for education. The campaign will address these issues through a school science fair,
promoting effective cures and preventive measures.

Final Solution: Healthy Living Science Fair

The science fair will include:

 Booths on anaemia, scurvy, and rickets, with posters detailing cures (e.g., iron
supplements, moringa and vitamin C).

 A demonstration of nutrient-rich foods e.g., moringa smoothie or baobab drink.

 Interactive activities, such as a nutrition quiz or a “grow your own food” model using
seeds.

 Flyers promoting affordable cures and home gardening tips.

Achievements

 Documented anaemia as the most common deficiency, treated with supplements and
moringa.

 Developed engaging materials (posters, demos) to educate about cures, aligning with
curriculum goals.

 Tested booth mock-ups with classmates, confirming engagement and clarity.

 Proposed practical solutions like community gardens to prevent deficiencies.

Challenges

 Limited awareness requires simplified explanations for students and parents.

 Clinic stockouts limit access to supplements, necessitating reliance on traditional

remedies.

 Budget constraints may restrict materials for fair models or demos.

Recommendations

 Partner with NGOs (e.g., UNICEF) for nutrition resources or seeds for school
gardens.

 Use visuals and hands-on activities to simplify content for younger audiences.

 Seek donations from local shops for materials like cardboard or moringa samples.

 Expand the campaign with a follow-up project, such as a school garden to grow
moringa and vegetables.

Alignment with Design Specifications

 The fair addresses three deficiency diseases and their cures, proposing affordable
solutions like home remedies.

 It engages the community through interactive activities and aligns with Grade 7 health
curriculum goals.

 Feedback forms at the fair will improve future events.