Food for Good for Cancer Patients in Kenya

INTRODUCTION:

Africa Cancer Foundation (ACF) is a charitable Trust, launched on July 12, 2011 in Nairobi, Kenya to create awareness on cancer, spearhead cancer prevention and provide holistic solutions for cancer patients.

ACF participated in the GlobalGiving’s April 2021 Accelerator campaign for a project dubbed ‘Food for Good for Cancer Patients in Kenya.’ The aim of the project is to address the nutritional needs of  300 cancer patients and their families by setting  up vegetable cone gardens for them to enhance food security and better nutrition as they undergo treatment  for various cancers.  The 6 tier cone garden has a variety of vegetables that the patient can harvest and eat or sell the surplus to make money for other necessities.

To date, ACF has managed to raise over $21,022  from 311 donors out of a target of $ 50,000. ACF earned a permanent place on the GlobalGiving platform and a social media badge.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

GlobalGiving disbursed $18,122.35 to ACF on May 28, 2021. ACF confirmed receipt of $18,122.35 and an additional amount of $302.27 on June 26^th 2021 after bank deductions. Part of the funds have since been used to set up vegetable cone gardens for patients in various places.

ACF partnered with patient based organisations who are members of the Kenyan Network of Cancer Organisations (KENCO), the umbrella body for cancer organisations in Kenya to identify needy patients for the cone gardens. Five (5) patients from Symbol of Hope Warriors support group in Kariobangi North, Korogocho and Dandora informal settlements had vegetable cone gardens set up by ACF in June 2021. Another five (5) patients from Stoma World Kenya had vegetable cone gardens set up in Kibra, Kenya. Another partner, Tumaini La Maisha Health Services had one (1) vegetable cone garden set up at their Joanna’s House in Ngumo Estate, a hostel that houses cancer patients and their caregivers at affordable rates, while being treated in Nairobi.

On the occasion of Africa Cancer Foundation’s 10^th anniversary on July 12, 2021, one (1) vegetable cone garden was set up at Kariobangi North PAG Church  in Nairobi, for the cancer support group members of Symbol of Hope Warriors, who meet there regularly.

Six (6) cone gardens  have been set up for  patients receiving treatment at the  Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu. A total of eighteen (18) vegetable cone gardens have so far been set up in Kenya.

Each cone garden has 6 different vegetables namely; kale, spinach, African night shade, beetroot, coriander and spring onions.

FUTURE PLANS:

ACF has set out to set up 300 vegetable cone gardens in 6 counties namely; Kisumu, Nairobi, Marsabit, Nyandarua, Uasin Gishu and  Narok. The project has taken off in Nairobi and Kisumu in June and July 2021.

Beginning August 2021, set up of the vegetable cone gardens will begin in Nyandarua and Uasin Gishu counties.  

Set up of vegetable cone gardens for Marsabit and Narok are planned for October 2021 during the short rains season.

Monitoring and evaluation of the cone gardens will be conducted after 3 months to ensure the patients are benefiting from the garden and guide them on replenishing it with new seeds and seedlings.  

CONCLUSION:

Cognizant of a myriad of issues affecting cancer patients and that the caregivers are mostly women who cannot manage to put food on the table daily because their earning power has drastically gone down due to COVID-19 pandemic, it is humane for them to be supported during this period.

Eating traditional leafy vegetables and fruits is a rich source of vitamins and minerals for the patients. They are being encouraged to consider eating food as medicine and not medicine as food.

ACF is continuing to count on the support of well wishers to expand to more counties in Kenya by donating on the GlobalGiving platform. It truly takes a village to #GrowEatHealCancer.