Long-Term Food Security for 4000 Samburus in Kenya

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