The Dr. Rath Health Foundation and the Movement of Life

The Dr. Rath Health Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to contribute to the improvement of human health on a global scale through research, education, and the defense of patient rights to choose natural remedies. The foundation was created in 2002 by Dr. Matthias Rath. Since then, it has become a driving force in promoting health education.

The Foundation is also the coordinating organization behind the Movement of Life, a non-profit movement that focuses on encouraging people to create hands-on pilot projects in areas such as health and nutrition - particularly in developing countries.

In March 2015, the Movement of Life team launched a school gardening project at the St. Agnes Centre for Education in Mbarara town, located in Western Uganda. The project involves growing fruit trees, vegetables, and medicinal plants to enrich students’ and teachers’ diets with micronutrient-rich food, while also serving as a self-driven fundraiser for various school projects. Since then, the project has grown to involve more than 50 schools. In total, over 12,000 fruit trees have now been successfully planted at schools and in the surrounding areas, enthusiastically supported by children, parents and teachers alike.

Similar projects were also launched in other parts of Africa. The Movement of Life project in Zimbabwe shows how communities’ access to knowledge and self-sufficiency can create powerful real-world change. In the Warren Park area of Harare, more than 150 families and several schools have started organic fruit and vegetable gardens - transforming their diets and daily lives through nutrient-rich produce grown at home. This initiative has grown into a meaningful source of fresh food, confidence, and resilience for families like the Kanengonis, who now enjoy a diverse harvest ranging from carrots and eggplants to mangoes, lemons, and avocados.

Beyond improving nutrition, the gardens have become a source of empowerment and hope through the combination of physical activity and micronutrient-rich foods.

These projects demonstrate how education, practical tools, and community engagement can uplift entire neighborhoods - one garden at a time.