Group takes up planting of edible fruit seedlings in slum schools

Thika, Tuesday June 27, 2023

KNA by Muoki Charles 

A lobby group in Thika’s Kiandutu slums has embarked on a programme to plant edible fruit seedlings in local schools in efforts to not only increase tree cover but also supplement school feeding programmes.

Eden, a slum based organisation for vulnerable persons has come up with the initiative to assist the many learners from Thika’s biggest slum as well as other neighbouring estates including Kiganjo, Makongeni, Madharau among others to fight hunger once the trees mature.

Among the fruit trees that they are targeting to plant include mangoes, avocado, and oranges.

Chairperson Eunice Mwangi said most learners in the slums come from poor backgrounds and that the initiative will help fight hunger.

Speaking during a climate change meeting in Thika, she said once the trees mature, the fruits will supplement their diets thus improve on nutrition.

She added that it will help in the school retention rate that has been a challenge among slum learners in the area.

She said the group plans to plant more than 20, 000 fast maturing fruit seedlings this year.

"Pupils will be encouraged to adopt the trees until they mature and produce edible fruits. The seedlings are the fast maturing ones and as an organisation, we shall be monitoring their progress regularly, “she said.

Rev James Kariuki, the chairperson of Love Thy Neighbour self-help group in the slum said the programme will come as a huge boost to learners and called on the schools to support it.

He also called on other stakeholders to join the initiative to green the schools with fruit trees saying it will also improve the school environment.

“Initially, people used to plant flowers or other trees which had less benefit to the learners. However, this initiative will not only green the schools but also provide fruits to the slum learners and will be a big boost to their nutrition and school retention,” said Rev Kariuki.

Rev Kariuki at the same time said the organisation is working on a programme to revive all water sources in the slum in efforts to ensure sustainable water supply in the area.

She said most wells and springs in the informal settlement are clogged and thus the need to revive them to ensure free flow during times of water rationing in the estate.

Courtesy ; K. N. A