What: Demonstration gardens, tree nursery, and environmental club for youth that teach sustainable farming methods and promote environmental awareness.
Why: The Maai Mahiu region is affected by extreme drought and deforestation, which severely limits food production and results in many families having only one meal each day. “We strongly believe that our ‘Each one, teach one’ model is the best approach on sustainability, ownership and development. By training and demonstrating best farming methods, we are working to fight food security in our region starting with children,” said CTC’s Environmental Coordinator Rocky Muuri. Without the Ngeya Primary Garden, many of the school’s 1800 students would go hungry, and a guaranteed meal each day provides more incentive for students to attend school.
How:
- The garden at Ngeya Primary School, created in 2009, is 1/8 of an acre.
- The garden consists of a variety of vegetables including kale, spinach, onions, and tomatoes.
- The yield harvested in the garden supplements school lunches, providing the school's 1800 students with healthy vegetables.
- Currently 72 students (ages 10-14) are enrolled in CTC’s Environmental Club at Ngeya Primary.
- The club meets after school twice a week: Tuesday is theory and learning day, and Thursday is hands-on work day.
- A tree nursery, also located at Ngeya Primary, was first established in 2007.
- Over 5,000 trees have been planted in the community to date.
- Working in collaboration with Mama Hope and Yes to Carrots to see how we can replicate the Environmental Club and training garden at 2 other schools in Maai Mahiu.
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