Long-Term Food Security for 4000 Samburus in Kenya

For the past three months, the Sadhana Forest Kenya team has been busy preparing for the Permaculture Design Certificate Course which will be held at the Community Agro-Forestry Learning Centre in Samburu this June through July. The course will focus on utilizing local knowledge and resources to educate and empower participants to sustainably practice permaculture techniques in their day to day lives. Local and international outreach has been underway to engage participants from a variety of countries, cultures and backgrounds, especially focusing on local Samburus. Infrastructure development and renovations have also taken place at the Community Agro-Forestry Learning Centre to adequately host all 50 participants and facilitators. This included building of dormitories,

In addition to these preparations, Sadhana Forest Kenya has continued building the capacity of communities through trainings and tree-planting activities. Since March, 48 indigenous and food-producing trees have been planted in six Samburu communities, directly impacting 22 household and one school, approximately 310 people. Fifty-one community members and over 200 students have participated in dryland tree planting and water conservation trainings. Community outreach also continues in order to provide added capacity and resources for communities, as well as to mobilize new villages for expanded coverage and impact.

A number of volunteers join Sadhana Forest Kenya on a monthly basis. They are vital to the project‘s success as they bring new ideas, vast amounts of experience and creativity. During this time period, Sadhana Forest Kenya has seen over 20 volunteers from Kenya and around the world. Two such volunteers, who are also completing an attachment for their University degrees, designed a monitoring project to learn more about the impact that Sadhana Forest Kenya is having on communities. They met with families and participants to understand their engagement with the project, including their interest areas and motivation. They found that the majority of community members are very engaged because they are passionate about the environment, and understand the benefits that conservation and tree planting activities bring to their lives. They respect and appreciate the work that Sadhana Forest Kenya is doing in their villages. Beneficiaries also gave feedback about some of the issues they face in caring for their trees. This information will help the team to address specific needs and project gaps going forward.

Sadhana Forest Kenya truly appreciates the support from the GlobalGiving community. If you are interested in providing us further feedback concerning our project, finding out more about our activities or area of operation, or would like to volunteer with us, please contact us here or email us directly at Kenya@sadhanaforest.org.

Ashe Oleng! (Thank you very much in Kisamburu)

From December through February 2015, Sadhana Forest Kenya has planted 116 indigenous and food-producing trees in nine Samburu communities, directly impacting 60 household and approximately 300 people. The first participatory community training of 2015 took place in January. Thirteen community members were provided enhanced knowledge, skills and tools concerning dryland tree planting techniques. Community outreach also continues in order to provide added capacity and resources for communities, as well as to mobilize new villages for expanded coverage and impact.

Sadhana Forest Kenya has continued to work directly with communities to build their capacity to better utilize and manage their natural resources. Specifically, Sadhana Forest Kenya has been working in Lakirding’ai village to help implement a community-driven natural resource management plan. Sadhana Forest Kenya staff and volunteers and local people have been working side by side to construct earthen dams and catchment structures for improved water management and conservation. These enhanced systems and structures will allow communities to revitalize their local resources, practice small-scale farming for added food security and enhance reforestation efforts. It will also limit the amount of time and energy children and women must spend fetching water on a daily basis, which will improve the quality of life for local households. Going forward, Sadhana Forest Kenya will continue to collaborate with local communities to brainstorm, develop and implement resource management plans.

Currently, Sadhana Forest Kenya is in the process of planning a Permaculture Design Certificate course, which will be held free of charge at the Community Agro-Forestry Learning Centre in Samburu from June through July 2015. Mobilization efforts are underway both locally and internationally to engage participants from a variety of countries, cultures and backgrounds, especially focusing on local Samburus. The objective of the course is to utilize local knowledge and resources to educate and empower participants to sustainably practice permaculture techniques in their daily lives.

Sadhana Forest Kenya truly appreciates the support from the Global Giving community. If you are interested in providing us with further feedback concerning our project, finding out more about our activities or area of operation, or would like additional details about the Permaculture Design Certificate course, please email us at Kenya@sadhanaforest.org

Ashe Oleng! (Thank you very much in Kisamburu)

Links:

• Project Website