Sustainable Food Project for Children in Kenya

There are some things that are almost too wonderful for words.  Let me try to explain one of them.

Today, we visit a project we started a couple of years ago with one greenhouse on a small farm called Portriez.  The greenhouse produced tomatoes by the bucketfuls and we got super excited.  With what we learned, we decided to expand the project to a larger piece of land – 50 acres, in a place called Lunga Lunga (LL), outside of Mombasa.  AFCA put in a borehole and an organic greenhouse and we hit the ground running. 

While I’d visited when the borehole was installed, I hadn’t been back to LL for a few months.  Today, I am back, with Fred and Karina in tow.  We arrive at LL and I stand amazed.  I feel my mouth hang open and my jaw is somewhere hitting my chest.  This place is incredible!  Because Portriez developed some sort of fungus that was killing tomatoes, we moved the warehouse to LL.  Now, standing before me, are two huge greenhouses and they are surrounded by rows and rows of green peppers, onions, kale, spinach, hot peppers, cassava, and all sorts of veggies.  On the front of the farm, there is a huge plot of corn, with more reaching out to the left of where I stand, as far as I can see.  Dotting the land are banana trees, papaya trees, and passion fruit and cucumber vines.

I am so thrilled.  So beyond thrilled!  This project has every making of a successful entrepreneurship which will provide funds for our supported medical and school programs here in Mombasa.  My goal is that once this farm is making a profit, they will not only pay the salaries of the men who work this land tirelessly, but that it will cover costs currently covered by AFCA: school fees, uniforms and shoes for the children, medical supplies, Kids Days, and nutritional support. 

The farm manager, Daniel, is as excited as a little kid, answering every single question I have (I have many of them), both professionally and knowingly.  He is excited to be part of something that isn’t only growing nutritious veggies and fruit which will benefit the local economy and people, but he is motivated to be part of something much larger.  This is not just a farm.  This is a farm with a purpose: to allow CBHC to not need AFCA anymore.  This, in turn, means that AFCA can start our work elsewhere, where no one else is working and where needs are desperate. 

We have a long way to go and I don’t kid myself about that.  But, today’s visit is just a breath of fresh air – it is working.  This idea of a farm which will provide food for malnourished children in the CBHC program, which will provide food at subsidized cost to mothers who are starting their own small vegetable businesses, and which will allow CBHC to become self-sustaining – it is working! 

The big concern raised a few times today is the need for a truck, which will help lug all the veggies and fruit to market.   Right now, they are using a motorcycle, which is not going to be adequate in August when both the tomato and the corn harvest happen.  One thing is to move leafy greens on the back of a motorcycle…another one is to move 300 pounds of tomatoes per week!  I am trying to think creatively to see what we can do while we try to raise the funds needed for such a huge purchase.  If anyone out there has great ideas, let me know - tweaver@AFCAids.org. 

Thank YOU for supporting this project - you are amazing.

"Greens" as kale, spinach, cow pea leaves, and any leafy veggie is known in Africa, are hugely important. Not only are they nutritious, but they play an important role in Kenyan cooking.  For many, it is the only source of iron, vitamin C and other needed nutrients. And, these leafy vegetables grow easily in climate that can't seem to support some other vegetables.

In our large farm in Mombasa, plenty of greens grow outside the greenhouses, due to the drip irrigation system we set up. It is so great because mom's who just gave birth can eat these iron-rich vegetables and children of all ages can benefit from something that is easy to grow, as well as easy to prepare.  Our supported clinic makes sure to give kids of all ages a handful of vegetables to take home after their visits to the clinic or their time at Kid's Club.  They give them enough for the entire family so that everyone can benefit.  I love this project!  It helps keep children healthy and full. And, what happens when kids are full and feeling well?  They go to school!  

Just ask Jamine here - she loves her greens, but more than that, she likes that she is healthy and is at school learning. She is a laugher - one of those kids who loves a good joke and is always poking fun at herself and others. With gorgeous skin, a healthy body and lots of energy, one would never guess that Jamine is HIV+.  But, YOU have helped keep her healthy by supporting this project and we can't thank you enough.  

On an aside:

I am excited to announce that Microsoft will be making a 100% match to this specific project on June 25, 2014, starting at 12:00PM EDT and ending on June 26, 2014 11:59AM EDT (24 hours).  There are only $200,000 available in matching funds, and last year, the funds ran out in the first couple of hours.  If you’d like to support our project again, this is the perfect day and time to do so.  Please mark your calendar and consider giving to this project on that day.  You’ll double your help to our children!  Please share with friends, as there is a $2500 bonus prize for the project with the most unique donors, which we’d love to receive!