Project Report
| Sep 19, 2025
Plant a Tree, Plant a Future
By John Roccanova | Volunteer Fundraiser
![]()
Dear Supporter,
As summer comes to a close for us, winter is ending in Kenya, and the “short rains” season is beginning. With recent daytime temperatures in the 70s and nights in the 50s, many vegetables, especially leafy greens ones, thrive. There is plenty for students to do in the school gardens all year as there are two growing seasons. They especially enjoy the school lunches that include garden produce that they grow.
Last month several schools in the Green Fields program took part in the “Tunda Trees in Action” program. Tunda trees are hardy, indigenous trees that grow in Kenya. Members of the Busia County Universities and College Students Association worked along with the younger students. The theme of the program is “Plant a Tree, Plant a Future”.
Thanks to your donations, these programs will continue to provide hundreds of students with organic agriculture training and plenty of nutritious food.
Regards,
John Roccanova
Volunteer Fundraiser
![Share on Twitter]()
![Share on Facebook]()
May 23, 2025
"A Report from the Field"
By John Roccanova | Volunteer Fundraiser
![]()
Dear Supporters,
Grow Against Poverty's Green Fields program is in its fifth year, 3 with GlobalGiving. Following is a report from Nigel Mark Waswa, Volunteer Director of Programs.
"Thus far, Grow Against Poverty has supported 9 schools with farm supplies and gardening equipment to establish vegetable gardens in the Green Fields initiative. The schools then maintain and sustain the gardens with minimal further input support from Grow Against Poverty. The organic vegetable gardens, which are contributing to school lunches while teaching students sustainable agriculture skills, seamlessly fit into Kenya's current content-based curriculum (CBC). The initiative continues to improve student nutrition and impart valuable skills in regenerative agriculture. We are in conversation with other larger organizations to promote regenerative agriculture to provide further training to the young learners in our participating schools as well as complimentary services such as soil testing."
Thanks to Nigel and the other Grow Against Poverty volunteers who have helped the schools get started and who meet with school staff and students throughout the school year.
And thanks for your contributions. Please help us expand this program to the many shools in Busia County that have requested gardens.
Reagards,
John Roccanova
Volunteer Fundraiser
![Share on Twitter]()
![Share on Facebook]()
Jan 24, 2025
Green Fields
By John Roccanova | Volunteer Fundraiser
![]()
Dears Supporters,
While some of us live where temperatures are below freezing and even sub-zero, it’s bright, sunny and warm in Kenya. The gardens at the 9 schools supported by Grow Against Poverty are full with organic produce. Students are being nourished and are enjoying the African kale, carrots and other vegetables that they’ve grown.
What’s great about this program is that it is self-sustaining! Once Grow Against Poverty raises funds to start a school garden, the sale of a small portion of the produce provides funds for seeds and organic fertilizer to keep the gardens going. Grow Against Poverty stays connected to each school by having volunteers visit every garden during each of the 3 growing seasons.
The news of this successful program has spread throughout Busia County and 6 schools have requested funding to get started. Grow Against Poverty would like to raise $4,000 for fencing, gardening tools, seeds and other supplies to help 2 schools start gardens this year and then the other 4 schools the next 2 years. We hope that you will continue to support this program.
Regards,
John Roccanova
Volunteer Fundraiser
![Share on Twitter]()
![Share on Facebook]()
