Project Brief
The New Hope Community Centre in Kothavalasa, Andhra Pradesh, is a long-established centre of care for a diverse community; including children, youth, the elderly, and individuals receiving HIV treatment. With a deep commitment to health and wellbeing, New Hope recognises that nutrition plays a vital role in caring for those they help. Building on past agricultural experience and driven towards sustainability, the centre is looking to develop a banana farm. This phased project aims to meet urgent nutritional needs while creating an income-generating model for long-term self-sufficiency.
Location: India
Funds Needed: $1,450
The Need
Across India, bananas are widely recognized as a vital source of nutrition, rich in essential vitamins and minerals. At New Hope Community Centre, there is a growing need for consistent access to this important fruit. Children in care, elderly residents, and individuals coming for HIV medication and medical checks all require additional nutritional support. Proper nutrition, particularly for those living with HIV, significantly improves treatment outcomes and general health.
The Centre has also identified the need to move toward greater food and financial self-sufficiency. By producing its own fruit and eventually selling surplus produce, New Hope can reduce dependence on external sources and reinvest in the wellbeing of its community. Furthermore, there is a broader community need: many impoverished patients in the nearby government hospital lack access to proper nutrition during their recovery, and this project seeks to address that gap in its third phase.
The Solution
The project will be rolled out in three strategic stages:
Stage 1: Planting of 50 banana trees to directly supply the New Hope Centre with fresh fruit, supporting the immediate dietary needs of 48 residents and up to 400 monthly HIV clinic visitors.
Stage 2: Planting of an additional 50 trees to increase yield and enable small-scale sales of surplus bananas. This will generate income to help fund agricultural staff and support ongoing maintenance.
Stage 3: A final 50 trees will be planted to expand the impact further. Half of this produce will be provided free of charge to undernourished patients in the nearby government hospital, while the remaining portion will be sold to support the Centre’s operations.
The project builds on existing infrastructure, including drip irrigation supported by windmill-powered storage tanks, and the experience gained from a successful trial plot. Sustainability will be monitored through accounting records and yield-based milestones, ensuring that growth remains aligned with both humanitarian and economic goals
The Opportunity
Banana plants generally take about 9 to 18 months to produce fruit after planting, depending on the growing conditions and variety. In warmer, tropical climates, fruit production might occur in as little as 9 months. This project represents a cost-effective and impactful opportunity to improve health outcomes some of the worlds most vulnerable people, and promote self-reliance for The New Hope Community Centre in Kothavalasa that serves them. For just $1,450 per phase, supporters can fund a scalable solution that offers real, measurable change. The benefits extend beyond fruit—this is a model of integrated community care, combining nutrition, agriculture, and dignity.
Over the long term, this initiative will not only nourish bodies but also empower a community with the tools to sustain itself. Donors have the chance to invest in a proven, expandable model that respects local resources, adapts to environmental conditions, and prioritises the needs of those neglected.
