Planting begins in Dagoretti urban gardens

23 March 2016

Following on from our Christmas appeal, which focused on our work with young urban farmers in inner city communities in Nairobi, Kenya, Farm Africa can report that the urban gardens we’ve helped to set up in Dagoretti district have started to take shape.

Youth unemployment is a huge problem in overcrowded Dagoretti, where the population has risen dramatically, resources are stretched, and many young people don’t have enough to eat.

Farm Africa is helping to set up 15 gardens for youth groups, schools and community groups, fully equipped with six rainwater harvesting systems, six greenhouses, three wells and drip irrigation systems to keep the plants well watered and healthy. These gardens will help young people to grow the nutritious food they need, while also teaching them vital farming skills to set them up for the future.

Mutuini Primary School has started to plant spinach, kale and tomatoes, which will add much-needed vitamins to their daily lunch of boiled maize and beans. They are also growing vegetables in their greenhouse, which they will be able to sell at the nearby weekly farmers market, raising money which could help pay for repairs to the school building.

Farm Africa would like to thank all of our supporters for helping us to raise a huge £140,686.49 over the Christmas period. Thanks to your donations, we can continue to help vulnerable young people eat a reliable and healthy diet.