One of the biggest problems that the doctors of VHW see on a regular basis is malnourished children. Cassava is a staple crop and the leafy vines are ubiquitous along roadsides and in small garden patches. However, cassava offers no nutritional value and leaves babies and children starved of the vitamins and minerals they need to develop properly.

VHW is trying to fix that. They have planted a vegetable gardens and fruit trees. Members of the community come daily to work in the gardens and take home long blue plastic bags filled with sweet potato or carrot seedlings. They take them back to their gardens at home -- fortifying their diets with veggies rich with vitamins.

Watermelons were introduced and planted earlier this year. They are by far the most popular garden item. The flesh of this melon is pinky white, but so sweet and refreshing after a full day of running around the mountainside with heavy camera equipment. And a nice change for the palate after many days of rice, beans and Irish potatoes.