Sustainable Food Project for Children in Kenya

Summary

During this desperate time of drought, children in the American Foundation for Children with AIDS's programs have been affected. While we have helped keep them alive and healthy through the AIDS pandemic, it is tragic that hunger would take them. With this project, we will establish a long-term solution through a large community garden, a seed bank, and training for the community we serve. The specialized training is for gardening in arid areas which receive little rain. Join us!

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Kenya has been experiencing a severe drought for various years now. This has affected children who have survived AIDS, but who are needy because food in Kenya has doubled in price and has become scarse. Children who take medicine must have food in their bellies in order to not get nauseus. So, food becomes a form of medicine, which is life saving.

How will this project solve this problem?

While delivering food is good in some cases, it is better to develop a sustainable solution which can be carried on for years to come. By training a master gardener/trainer of trainers in a specialized type of gardening for arid areas, we start the road towards sustainability. He, along with a long-term intern, will train child headed households, guardians and community volunteers. The training will take place at a 35 acre piece of land, giving hands one experience while producing food.

Potential Long Term Impact

HIV+ children and their guardians will receive huge benefits from this project including: much needed nutritious food, training in how to prepare nutritious meals, training in how to grow food with no water, the ability to obtain seeds for an established seed bank, funds from food sold, savings from food consumed from the garden, and the knowledge that they can take care of themselves during a drought.

Project Message

We believe in the power of the people and in their earnest desire to help themselves. With a hand up, they will be able to replicate personal gardens, whether they have a large plot or small.
- Veronica Wanjiru, Project Leader-Community Based Health Care Program

Resources

Donate by US Mobile Phone