,

Project Update: Grow Biointensive Agriculture Center of Kenya

Hi everyone!

It’s been a week since I left Fairfield, IA for Thika, Kenya. And what a week! I’ve been cruising on the back of motorcycles with African dust blowing in my face.

I have not had a cup of coffee since I arrived. Chai is my new drug! No sweets either (or scones), only fruit from the trees. I have lost most of my desire for sweets and all for coffee (and perhaps Cafe P.  ) And I’m determined more than ever to bring small-scale farms to schools.

G-BIACKWe began our project with the first school with 1000+ students attending. This is going to be a monster task and Sam is a true warrior and feels we will be able to feed all the students. I took before and after photos and will post soon!

After this project begins, I will travel 9 hours to another school with only 68 students. This hopefully will become a model for the students to take back to their villages.

It is through your donations that https://charityseeds.org/ is able to make the impact it does today.

-Kim

/0 Comments/by

Vegetable gardens and more in Kenya

Kenya’s population has passed the 44 million mark with over 40% living below the poverty line. Many children are going to school hungry. Our partners at Grow Biointensive Agriculture Center of Kenya (G-BIACK) in Thika Kenya, are working to change that! Samuel and Peris Nderitu, founders of G-BIACK started a new program this year called “Biointensive Agriculture for Schools” (BAS) to help children learn how to grow  organic food, cooking and nutrition. 

 

“Children are the key disseminators of technologies. When they learn it from school, there is a likelihood of them taking the knowledge at home.” They have 3 schools lined up for the 2016-2017 program: Munyu Mixed Secondary School, Maria Magdalena Special School and Gatuanyaga Primary School. We are fundraising for this program to help provide basic gardening tools, seeds and training materials.

Through our partnership with G-BIACK, we are able to bring change. Learning to grown your own food can improve health and help kids spend more time in school.

/2 Comments/by
, ,

Vegetable gardens and more in Kenya

Kenya’s population has passed the 44 million mark with over 40% living below the poverty line. Many children are going to school hungry. When you are faced with hunger, school becomes a last priority.

Our partners at Grow Biointensive Agriculture Center of Kenya (G-BIACK) in Thika Kenya, are working to change that! Samuel and Peris Nderitu, founders of G-BIACK started a new program this year called “Biointensive Agriculture for Schools” (BAS) to help children learn how to grow organic food, cooking and nutrition.  “Children are the key disseminators of technologies. When they learn it from school, there is a likelihood of them taking the knowledge at home.”

maria-magdalena

Photo credit: Maria Magdalena Facebook Page

Samuel and Peris have 3 schools lined up for the 2016-2017 BAS program: Munyu Mixed Secondary School, Maria Magdalena Special School and Gatuanyaga Primary School. We are fundraising for this program to help provide basic gardening tools, seeds and training materials.

Through our partnership with G-BIACK, we are able to bring about change. Learning to grow their own food will improve children’s and their families’ lives. Kids can spend more time in school, pursue their dreams and earn an income. All of which help fight poverty.

/0 Comments/by
,

Caritas Seeds has changed its name to “charity seeds”

caritas seeds has changed its name and its direction. The new name is a game changer. It’s now “charity seeds.”

For the last six years we have been bringing small scale organic farms to people in need, primarily in Kenya. That has gone well and with the help of our partners in Kenya we have brought over 13,000 farms to the region.

Now we are refining our focus and will be directing our attention to schools. We feel this will expand our influence and may even be more sustainable in the long run. Wish us luck!

/0 Comments/by
,

Grow Biointensive Video

Here is a wonderful video to really get a look at what an incredible movement charity seeds supports!

“GROW BIOINTENSIVE was developed by John Jeavons and Ecology Action. It has been successfully used in 142 countries around the world. This film was produced to further a global movement toward biologically‐intensive sustainable farming and the work of Ecology Action and G‐BIACK.”

/0 Comments/by
,

G-BIACK Tackles More Than Hunger

The Grow Biointensive Agriculture Centre of Kenya, along with caritas seeds, have a main focus in giving people in poor communities a sustainable end to hunger. G-BIACK also acknowledges the fact that poverty creates very serious issues other than malnutrition. Poor communities in Kenya are living in pretty harsh environments that pose a plethora of problems for people without proper housing, clothing, and hygiene. One problem G-BIACK is addressing is the little red mite larva called a Jigger. And these little critters like to make homes in your skin. One of their favorite places to hide is under the toenails on children who play outside, but who lack the luxury of owning a pair of shoes to protect their feet from the Jiggers. The Jiggers will infest their poor little toes, causing the child pain, then eventually leading to the child not being able to walk around. And if a child is in too much pain to walk around their home, by no means are they going to make the trip to school. And this is what G-BIACK wants to help put a stop to. Not only does G-BIACK help with the removal of Jiggers (which entails suffocating it with antiseptic and hydrogen peroxide), but they are also looking for ways to get kids in need hooked up with a good pair of shoes. Shoes can help prevent the Jigger problem all together. When Jiggers are hurting people’s feet, they won’t walk to school. And when they can’t make the walk to school, they can’t gain the education and knowledge to better their lives with work and agriculture skills. So when one contributes to caritas seeds, we make sure G-BIACK is supported in these important efforts. Because of the work done, we can see how simple changes make a world of difference.

/0 Comments/by
,

G-BIACK Knows Education is KEY!


The GROW BIOINTENSIVE Agriculture Center of Kenya has already made huge strides in teaching hungry people in Africa how to work with their harsh environment and grow sustainable and nourishing food. The tools that G-BIACK has given to many people has changed lives. They have recognized the huge impact simple education has, especially on young people from poor families, orphans, and girls with abusive backgrounds.

So they have moved forward with their educational programs targeted towards these groups, and are working with people to give them hands on skills in dress making, basketry, beadwork, and other crafting techniques that can improve the quality of life.

Almost 100 boys and girls have taken part in these programs and have gained tools to lead a fuller life.  And thanks to generous donations, the program is growing and more girls and boys will be able to take part in this awesome movement in creating a sense of self-sustainability.

BUT! G-BIACK is always looking for help from anyone who wishes to contribute. They are in need of sewing machines and other tools to keep the program as effective as it has been.

Contribute to caritas seeds and you will be giving second chances to these communities in need!

/0 Comments/by

Beans and Corn A Plenty.

We all have staples in our
diets. There are foods that pop up in almost every other meal. In
the United States, we know what fruits and veggies are most
popular, and farmers have studied and figured out ways to grow
these common plants with great efficiency. Discovering what
agricultural techniques work best for one’s location is what
farmers in developing countries need to do to have more bountiful
produce yields. And G-BIACK (caritas seeds’ partner) is on it! The Grow Biointensive Agriculture Centre of Kenya (G-BIACK) is working with around 60 farmers to study different growing techniques for two of the most important crops in Kenya: Maize (or as many know it, corn) and Beans. The farmers are looking at different plant placements such as planting the corn and beans in the same hole, intertwining the seed placements, or separating the plants all together. They are also studying different soil qualities to
really see what is the best practice for the best production. G-BIACK is looking at what works best for Kenyan plant varieties and then spreading the word to the locals to ensure more food production for every family. These amazing steps taken by G-BIACK and the awesome results that follow are exactly what caritas seeds wants for every hungry community around the world. With research, education, and a little Mother Earth love, we canone-up world hunger.

/0 Comments/by

Charity Seeds’ Partner, G-BIACK, Hosts World Food Day and Receives NGO of the Year!

World Food Day, or WFD, is a day celebrated all over the world to spread awareness about world hunger and what ideas and tools exist to put a stop to the madness. World Food Day is October 16, which is the date when United Nations founded the Food and Agriculture Organization.

This year, G-BIACK (Grow Bio-intensive Agriculture Centre of Kenya), Charity Seeds’ partner in crime, held a big bash for this celebratory day. Over 450 people, ranging from inquisitive farmers to curious children, came to G-BIACK to witness the incredible work being done. For most farmers in the region this time of year, nothing is being grown. It is simply too dry. However, many were shocked to see G-BIACK’s crop’s to be lush, green, and full of life.

G-BIACK has the tools and knowledge to grow sustainable food at affordable prices for small scale farmers AND be gentle on the environment. Not only is it very exciting that 450 people were exposed to G-BIACK and the education and positive impact it can have on their lives, but because of this, G-BIACK was awarded NGO OF THE YEAR!!! But this shouldn’t be a surprise. G-BIACK has helped over 5,000 people gain food security in their lives. It is a beautiful thing, people! And this is what caritas seeds loves to hear!

/0 Comments/by
,

caritas seeds Article

/0 Comments/by