First Year Farmers Happily Show Off their New Skills
I just returned to Kenya. The first week is always quite exciting, seeing old friends, meeting new ones. And going to visit the farmers to talk to them about how they are doing.
We spent much of this week with first-year farmers who only joined at the end of 2024.
I was so impressed by everyone we met. They were all hopeful and shared with us the benefits they have already gotten from joining SANGO-Kenya.
They were also very excited to show off their farms.
As we walked towards the house of the first farmer we visited, I was so impressed to see how many multi-story gardens she had. Although she was a first-year farmer , she had already recognized the benefits of using multi-story gardens to grow her vegetables.
The multi-story gardens make it easier to grow the vegetables. I used to spend 2,000 KES [almost US $20] per month. Now, I don’t buy at all. And I have even made 500 KES [almost US$5] selling.
She told us she is using this money to pay for her children’s school fees.
There were two other farmers from their group who had come to meet with us. They wanted to demonstrate how to make organic pesticides. SANGO-Kenya farmers appreciate the many benefits of using organic pesticides — they are healthier for them and their farms, and they don’t have to spend money on them, as all the ingredients come from their own farms.
And all three farmers worked together in the sorting, cutting, and mixing required to make the pesticide.
In addition to the knowledge the farmers gain, they also gain a network of neighbors who work together on tasks such as making compost, multi-story gardens, pesticide, and other activities and materials.
Many farmers have told us about the social support they receive from other SANGO-Kenya members, especially those in their groups. They gain confidence from having these networks.
Before we left, they all thanked us, told us how much SANGO-Kenya has changed their lives. They take great pride in their accomplishments. They told us that they have friends and family members who ask about compost and multi-story gardens, and they have already taught them how to do it, helping SANGO-Kenya’s impact go beyond the 750 farmers learning directly from SANGO-Kenya. And we are always looking to do more.
I will be in Kenya a few more weeks and will continue to share more stories, but I couldn’t wait to share at least some as soon as possible.
And thank you for all your support. None of this would be possible without you.
Erokamano! Thank you! With much gratitude,
The SANGO-Kenya graduates, farmers, their children, and Winnie, Evance, Peter, Franck Junior, Connie, and Kit
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Photos: Etan Rozin
www.rozinphotos.com
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