Whenever I speak to SANGO-Kenya farmers, they inevitably talk about how being in the program affects them as mothers: their children are healthier from eating more vegetables, they are able to pay school fees with the extra cash they have from selling surplus, and their children miss less school because they are sick less often.
Thanks to the generosity of all of our supporters, we have reached nearly 800 mothers so far in just six years.
“Through SANI-Kenya’s* training and guidance, mothers and grandmothers are growing their own vegetables in their kitchen gardens. These gardens are transforming lives; more households have embraced consumption of African traditional vegetables, leading to the reduction of childhood illness and promoting better growth and development,” we were recently told by Dorcus Adhiambo, the Sub-County Nutritionist for Seme Sub-County in Kisumu County, where we work.
Since 2020, 800 mostly women farmers have learned how to grow organic African traditional green vegetables; they have learned how to make organic compost, grow vegetables without chemicals, and build multi-story gardens so they can grow more vegetables in less space, with less water and less work.
Our efforts — and our farmers’ efforts — are having an impact, and it’s being noticed in the communities.
And now, we have the opportunity to reach even more mothers! Thanks to Dorcus.
Having seen the impact SANI-Kenya has on the health and welfare of the farmers in the program and their children, she reached out to us and asked us to partner with her and the Ministry of Health in an important new program to help improve the nutritional status of pregnant women, new mothers, and their children.
She asked us to train Health Department staff and community members in sustainable farming techniques and make multi-story gardens at community health facilities in Seme to feed patients, including new mothers. This partnership will help increase the number of mothers and many more in the communities.
This project is so important. When we spoke to Dorcus about the need for this project, she told us about the rising levels of undernutrition, especially in pregnant and new mothers and their infants, and how they can’t afford to buy vegetables. She believes that our training will enable them to grow their own vegetables — perhaps enough to sell surplus.
On this Mother’s Day, please help us in this important partnership!
Can you think of a better way to honor the mothers in your life on this Mother’s Day?
Please Consider a Gift to SANGO-Kenya to Help Strengthen the Nutrition of Young Mothers and their Children
And thanks to the generosity of some of our donors, your donation will be matched! Go twice as far, help twice as many mothers!
With deep gratitude,
The SANGO-Kenya farmers, Winnie, Evance, Peter, Junior — and Connie and Kit
Please like us on Facebook:
SANGO-Kenya
And follow us on Instagram:
SANGOKENYA
Photos: Etan Rozin
www.rozinphotos.com
Write me! I love hearing from you! [email protected]