Schools! Take the 90KG Rice Challenge

Angus Coull • February 7, 2025

Help a child in Malawi go to secondary school

Here in the UK we take going to school for granted, and something that is free for all children. Sadly this is not the case in developing countries like Malawi where our delicious, versatile and award-winning Fair Trade Kilombero Rice is grown.

 

Not every child there has the privilege of a secondary school education, and that’s definitely not fair.


By taking the 90kg Rice Challenge (or a half challenge) your school can help fix this. 


90kg is the amount of rice a farmer needs to sell to enable a child to attend secondary school for a year – wouldn’t it be great to help make this happen? 


In this very short reel (above). Kilombero Rice farmer, Howard Msukwa explains why we should help.

the 90KG Rice Challenge in a nutshell

This quick video below sums up what the Challenge is all about and how to get involved.

be awesome and make a difference

More than 800 schools and Fair Trade and other groups have taken part so far – could you join them? This is a crucial activity, one that benefits learners here and children in a developing country. 


180 x 500g bags (90kg total), of fairly traded rice – the amount of rice sold that would provide Malawian rice farmers with enough of a sustainable income to enable them to reinvest in their farm, feed and clothe their family, and most importantly, pay for one year’s secondary education for one child as this is not free in Malawi and many cannot afford it.


Kilombero rice not only does good, but it tastes great! It has won a Great Taste award and is the most ethical rice on the market according to Ethical Consumer magazine and proudly displays their Best Buy logo.


Once you book your 90kg Rice Challenge, you will receive the bags of rice and a link to the Education Pack which contains lesson plans on current issues such as fair trade, global citizenship, sustainability, social enterprise, and climate change, as well as lots of activities, videos, images, presentations, and interviews suitable for all ages. There is enough content for a term long project, or a one-off lesson. Once you receive your Rice Challenge, it’s up to you how you sell it, from curry nights to fair trade stalls.


Results of the challenge:

  • Participants have an achievable goal: selling 90kg of rice, which can be undertaken as an individual, teams or a group.   45kg Challenges are an option too.
  • The challenge quantifies the benefits of fair trade: this is what a farmer has to grow to give him enough of an income to enable him to pay for one of his children to go to school; this is what we have to do to support him in that task.
  • This shows how we can help to empower farmers: creating reliable markets for smallholder farmers where they can get fair prices means they can develop their farms, work their way out of poverty and help to build up the prosperity of their country.
  • It empowers individuals and shows how they can make a difference.
  • It creates a link between individuals and the farmers who they are supporting.


But don't take our word for it, read about how other teachers have used the 90kg Rice Challenge in their schools.


ex maths teacher andy tomison on taking the challenge

Former maths teacher, Andy Tomison goes into primary and secondary schools in the Perth & Kinross area to talk to pupils about Fair Trade, with a focus on the True Origin 90KG Rice Challenge. In this video above he talks about what happens when he's visited primary schools and two secondary schools.


Bucksburn Academy in Aberdeen did it!

In May 2022 Buscksburn Academy in Aberdeen took the 90KG Rice Challenge and were so successful they immediately did another one. S3s enjoyed taking part in the Rice Challenge again in December 2024 and the school has now embedded this as part of the S3 curriculum. They’re hoping to complete another challenge at the end of this year. Here’s what the pupils and Principal Teacher of Wider Achievement, Jayne Davidson got out of it. NB the prices mentioned in this video (above) have increased since this was filmed in 22. 


You can watch a video recording (below) of a special 90KG Rice Challenge Teacher Event on Zoom from 24th May 2022. The event was organised by True Origin in partnership with and hosted by the Scotland Malawi Partnership. Howard Msukwa and colleagues from farmers association, KASFA in Malawi participated. Also taking part were Bucksburn Academy teacher, Jayne Davidson (featured in the above video), Josh Brown from the One World Centre (talking about how the Challenge fits with the curriculum), True Origin Chair, Mary Popple and James Johnston from the Social Enterprise Academy who talks about how they can support schools taking the Challenge.


Link the challenge to climate change learning

Rice farmers in Malawi have a lot on their plate. The effects of climate change affect them badly and can cost them dearly. In this video below Howard Msukwa explains the challenges from global warming.

Go on! Take the 90KG Rice Challenge

We would really love you to consider taking part in the 90kg Rice Challenge. If you’d like to find out more you can email nicola@trueorigin.org.uk, or phone 0141  255 0901. And you can order either a half Challenge pack or full Challenge pack easily online.  Or complete the order form and return to nicola@trueorigin.org.uk if you need 30 day payment terms.


We will be happy to support you with resources, advice and to promote any 90KG Rice Challenge activity on our social media platforms. 


We look forward to hearing from you.

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