Kenya - students - Growing Trees

Schoolchildren plant trees

“Demonstration shambas” planted at schools is a learning process where students participate in tree planting and are taught agroforestry and permaculture. The aim is to keep the land covered with crops all year round, so that food can also be produced for use at the schools.

This training gives the children a better understanding of how climate change can be addressed.

The school plantings are carried out in several districts together with local NGOs, where local nurseries are involved.

See an example of a forest certificate here

The role of schools

Climate change and the drought in recent years in Kenya have led to a number of students dropping out of school because small farmers cannot provide their children with food to take to school and the long journey to school.

Schools, on the other hand, often have large areas where kitchen gardens can be established and agroforestry can be practiced. It is obvious that “demonstration shambas” are established, where the school also produces school food for the children. It also promotes the spread of knowledge about agroforestry, as the children bring their knowledge home to their parents, just as many parents are involved in the establishment and copy the systems at home as best they can.

Demonstration Shambas

So far, 21 “demonstration shambas” have been established at schools and many of them have started serving school meals with home-grown vegetables.

The system is somewhat more expensive to establish than just planting trees, as it involves collecting rainwater with digging ditches etc. and often establishing fences. This requires training not only for school teachers and students, but also for parents who often participate with volunteer labor. The guidance and organization of the projects usually takes place in 3 or more phases if it is to be successful.

Donate to school students' education in agroforestry and permaculture