Project Report
| Aug 7, 2017
Empower 175 students for food security in Kenya
By Lucy Mathenge | Project Assistant
This year weather patterns have been very challenging to the farmers. The long rains in May did not continue for long as it was expected and this was a big blow to the farmers. Most of them lost their crops when the rains subsidized and since the rains did not continue for long, they did little on water harvesting that could not sustain them for long. Our youth polytechnics were affected as well as they had not harvested enough water due to inadequate water harvesting structures. Our youths felt very discouraged as they had a lot of hopes that this time round they would at least enjoy some harvest. We continued to encourage them and sensitizing them on climate change and the effects. Some of the lost all their crops but some were able to enjoy some vegetables and other short term crops. Those in dry areas had very little but with introduction of drought tolerant crops, they had some crops in their gardens. We will continue building their capacity as we continue fundraising for water harvesting structures in their schools. As earlier reported, we are happy to see the youths embracing agriculture after our intervention and introduction of urban gardening as well as other farming technics. We have been trying to working with the youths even those not in youth polytechnics to prepare them for another source of income and livelihood even without white colour jobs. Slowly they are changing and venturing to agri-business. We wish to continue working with them and supporting them in all possible means. Thank you to all well-wishers have walked this journey with us be blessed.
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May 10, 2017
Empower 175 students for food security in Kenya
By Lucy Mathenge | Project Assistant
Hello everyone, we are happy to report that finally we have received the long waited rains in the country. Although it did not start in March as expected, farmers are smiling as they plant new crops with a lot of expectations of receiving good yields. There have been various challenges as most farm inputs have increased in price but farmers are still struggling. We have already supported some youth polytechnics with seeds and planting materials which they have already planted and they are progressing on well. We are also encouraging them to take advantage of the heavy rains to do a lot of water harvesting to ensure that they will have some water to push them after the rains subsidizes. Although majority doesn’t have the appropriate water harvesting structures, we are training them on how to practice various techniques to do water harvesting. Some of them are already practicing the techniques and if successful the others will adapt the same. We are so encouraged to see how youths are determined in this project they have now accepted agriculture and realized how they can be self-employed as well as employers through sustainable agriculture and agri-business. We continue supporting them and encouraging them further as this will reduce the current status of youth unemployment and food security. We hope that this time round they will harvest good yields after the efforts and failure due to prolonged dry spell. We thank all those who have contributed towards success of this project.
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Feb 9, 2017
Empower 175 students for food security in Kenya
By Lucy Mathenge | Project Assistant
Students in youth polytechnics opened school in January 2017 for the first term session. It has been dry in most parts of the country just as in last year since the short rains expected in December never came. All youth polytechnics are in the process of preparing their school gardens in readiness of planting in March when the long rains are expected. Irrigating school gardens was not sustainable since the youth polytechnics did not have reliable sources of water to sustain them during the long dry spell. Although some had successfully installed water harvesting structures in their schools, it did not sustain them for long as the rain was not enough and they did not harvest enough water to keep them going. The other challenge was inadequate water storage facilities in some schools. Some schools are still fundraising for sustainable sources of water for their schools as well as approaching different government institutions to help them solve the issues. Students are still optimistic and they are busy preparing their school gardens as well as sourcing suitable seeds for planting during the long rains expected in March and April. We will support some of them with drought resistance seeds and planting materials to plant during the long rains. Some youth polytechnics were able to do little seed saving during the last harvesting season therefore they have some seeds although they will require more. We are happy that they have not given up despite the challenge of prolonged drought. We continue encouraging them and supporting them in various possible way. We also call upon other well-wishers to support them.
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