ShoSho's Shamba (Grandma's Garden)

Almost my the entire yesterday, Thurs., was spent at a plot of land in town donated to CTC by Paula Meyer.   CTC is using the area to build and maintain a demonstration garden.  As an organization we realize that our strength is in empowering members of the local community.   To accomplish this with the demonstration garden, CTC formed a group comprised of grandmothers (criteria: they had to be taking care of a disabled person and/or a person suffering from HIV/AIDS)

There are several objectives for this piece of land which measure apprx. 100'x50'.  The first goal is to  to increase the nutrition for the families of these Grandmothers (ShoShos).  Often, the individuals of a family are malnourished.  The second, is to teach the women, many of whom have never planted more that maize and beans, more productive and sustainable farming.   This week a group from Kansas State has been working with the ShoShos to implement a drip feed irigation system and composting process.  Lack of water is a serious problem in Maai Mahiu the drip feed system will water crops with minimal resource since it targets the plant individually, not over watering.   (A picture is included).   The final goal is to demonstrate to the local community more productive systems/processes for farming.   

One of the local volunteers, Rocky, (picture included with Herschel from Kansas State) manages the program for CTC and has done a wonderful job.   It's amazing to see how local community members step up to positions of leadership and drive projects with such maturity..    Without him this garden would not be possible.  He has various plans with the ShoShos to expand the drip feed system, implement a composting routine, build a shade/greenhouse area, introduce Grow Boxes and educate the ShoShos.  We hope to grow all the vegetables needed for daily family nutrition along with possibly growing money making plants such as flowers, seedlings and trees.  After watching the ShoShos in action, I am a believer.  They jumped right in the first day and cleared the land of debris in record time, jumped to plowing out an area for the first drip system and were extremely engaged in the eduction discussions.  When we were working the land and there was not enough equipment they worked diligienty with their hands without a fuss.   Digging and raking away without tools....

Saturday is the local Maai Mahiu celebration of World Environment Day.  The plan is to hold workshops where the K State team, Rocky and the ShoShos will demonstrate the drip irrigation system, proper organic composting and plant additional seedlings.  The plan is then to grow the garden and reap the rewards......ShoSho Shamba (Grandma's Garden).