Long-Term Food Security for 4000 Samburus in Kenya

Thank you to everyone who donated on “Giving Tuesday”. Together, you helped us raise over $4500 for the Samburu people! Those funds will go directly towards the goal of long term food security in Samburu County. Now here’s a bit about what we’ve been up to recently at Sadhana Forest Kenya.

Although we have fewer volunteers at this time, we have not slowed down on our important work but we have shifted our tactics in order to make the best use of this unusual dynamic. Not being able to travel too far from home has presented the opportunity to further develop infrastructure at the Community Agro-Forestry Learning Center. That includes increasing the output of our tree nurseries to ensure a variety of species are always ready to plant. Excitingly, we have begun to harvest seeds from some of our earliest planted trees.

We really miss collaborating with schools since the covid-19 closures, but we’re so grateful to be able to provide similar learning opportunities and practical experience to children safely at their homes. They are keen to get involved with planting trees and gardens as well as the subsequent care. It is encouraging to see this enthusiasm and to know that they will always have this knowledge – for their futures and to pass on to those who come after them.

With more rain recently, has come a burst of growth in the area and we are continuing to see great success with the intensive Permaculture plots that we have implemented. We will keep checking in on those as well as creating new ones. Depending on factors such as the size of the family’s land, these projects range from small kitchen gardens with a few food-producing trees to extensive Permaculture designs with over a hundred trees. When it comes to providing water for these gardens, we can only hope that the rain continues and we know to prepare for the inevitable drought. We are currently organizing the means to deliver substantial water to the surrounding community, free of cost.

FYI: To help grow our monthly support base, GlobalGiving is offering a 200% match on all new monthly donations set up between now and Friday (Terms and Conditions). This is a great way to make your donation go further!

As always, we would like to thank all of you for supporting the vital work of Sadhana Forest Kenya and we are grateful to GlobalGiving for this wonderful platform with which to reach you. If you are interested in providing us feedback concerning our project, finding out more about our activities or area of operation, or would like to volunteer with us, please email us at kenya@sadhanaforest.org. We also strongly encourage you to provide feedback at the end of this report.

Ashe Oleng! (“Thank you very much!” in Kisamburu)

Lekita lives in a nearby Samburu village called Nengerpus with his wife, their five boys, his mother, and one of his brothers and his wife and baby.  In his youth, Lekita spent most of his time away from home making a living as a herder without the opportunity to go to school.  However, Lekita was able to slowly build a house, open a small restaurant, and start farming beans and corn.  When Sadhana Forest Kenya arrived, volunteers brought business to his restaurant, which he has since expanded.  Now Lekita’s wife oversees that business and he works with us here at SFK.  He enjoys helping in all areas he’s needed; from mulching and watering trees to overseeing the free phone charging station!

Lekita says that his life has greatly improved since the arrival of SFK.  His home is now surrounded by trees that provide shade and protection from strong winds.  He is better able to care for his family and plan for the future.  Lekita is full of gratitude and hope.  He is an absolute asset to Sadhana Forest Kenya and we are thankful to him for his great contribution to our work.  When asked what message he would like to spread with this newsletter, Lekita said:

“If I could say one thing to everyone reading this, it would be to respect the trees!  Wherever you are, plant trees!”

Thank you to everyone who supports Sadhana Forest Kenya in all the ways you do.  If you are interested in providing us feedback concerning our project, finding out more about our activities or area of operation, or would like to volunteer with us, please email us at kenya@sadhanaforest.org.  We also strongly encourage you to provide feedback at the end of this report.

Ashe Oleng! (“Thank you very much!” in Kisamburu)