NJAA MARUFUKU PROJECT LAUNCH DATE:9TH November, 2012

Network for Eco farming in Africa(NECOFA) in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture Molo District, Ministry of Education, Kenya Forestry Service are collaborating in a project dubbed “Promoting Students Participation in Agro-Forestry Practices For Environmental Conservation”

Project targets areas are in Molo,Sachang’wan,Turi and Elburgon divisions of Molo District. The target beneficiaries are;

        >School youths

        >Teachers

        >Vulnerable households

    The goal of the project is to contribute to the restoration of the Mau forest ecosystem.

This aims at giving youths a chance to participate in the restoration of the ever decreasing forest cover in the society.

The launch was held at Michinda boarding primary school and was attended by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, five community groups, six schools i.e. Michinda,Mukinyai,Chandera,Tumaini,Nyakiambi and Mariashoni secondary schools.

The venue provided a perfect case study for the schools and communities who will be implementing the NMK project, the participants had a chance to visit the school garden which was established by the 4K club in collaboration with Necofa-Kenya and Slow Food Central Rift Convivium, learn about various gardening techniques, crop diversity and nursery management.

 The students interacted and shared ideas on environmental conservation, a perfect example was from Chandera Secondary School whose members of the environmental club are in the process of establishing a cottage industry which will train people on ways to recycle waste papers by making manila papers, necklaces and other ornaments which will be sold and the money will help fund club activities and create a gainful activity for the jobless majority.

Michinda Secondary school has already set the ball rolling by organizing a tree planting day before breaking for the holidays and they have set a 200 seedlings mark for planting.

The event was attended by a total of 115 participants.

 

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFERENCE!

Climate change is the ultimate test for our collective intelligence as humanity. The diversity of cultures and of knowledge systems required for adapting to climate change need recognition and enhancing through public policy and investment. A new partnership between science and traditional knowledge will strengthen both knowledge systems and enhance our capacity to respond.

Biodiversity is the basis of food security. Biodiversity is also the basis for ecological and organic farming because it provides alternatives to chemical inputs. It also increases resilience to climate change by returning more carbon to the soil, improving the soil’s ability to withstand drought, floods and erosion. Biodiversity is the only natural insurance for society’s future adaptation and evolution. Increasing genetic and cultural diversity in food systems, and maintaining this biodiversity in the commons are vital adaptation strategies responding to challenges of climate change.

Together with People in Peril Association, Necofa is working with Koibatek community in conservation of Koibatek ecosystem which is part of Mau Ecosystem. The conservation efforts include:  Capacity building on climate change adaptation in Agriculture and natural resource management, support of communities with tree seedlings to establish wood lots, energy saving stoves, establishment of environmental clubs and arboretums in schools, tree planting in the forest.

Together with Manitese, Necofa is working with Indigenous  Ogiek community from Marioshoni forest in biodiversity conservation. The project involves beekeeping activities, capacity building on importance of biodiversity conservation, mapping of traditional foods and ecotourism. Rehabilitation of Eldume irrigation scheme is also ongoing and capacity building on production and marketing of horticultural crops is one major activity.

Together with Friends of Kenya School and Wildlife, Necofa is working with different communities and schools in support of education and health, main schools are in Arid Baringo County, Kajiado and Isiolo. The scholarships offered ensure bright students do not miss out, as they prepare for a brighter future.

Health of a community is important, and together with FKSW, Necofa has ensured yearly medical camps and monthly monitoring of community health, especially malaria cases at Kokwa Island in Baringo.

Together with Slow Food International, Necofa is implementing projects involving small scale farmers, establishing community and school gardens that will ensure diversified and quality food availability for communities in rural and urban areas

Supporting Vulnerable Community Members to Adapt and Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change

Over the last two decades, climate change has become a major environmental issue. The prediction that climate change effects will be more frequent and intensive is a raising concern especially among vulnerable communities. Solving the problems of climate change and reducing its inevitable negative effect require individual and global cooperation.

The destruction of the Mau forest and the degradation of its ecosystem has had adverse effect to the communities that depend on it for their livelihoods. This has resulted in rapid deforestation, unreliable rainfall patterns which disrupt the farmers’ agricultural calendar and firewood shortage. There is need to equip the communities with the necessary skill to enable them to cope with this situation

Necofa Kenya in collaboration with PIPA (People in Peril Association) a Slovak NGO have been implementing a project whose major focus is to aid the community to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change. The two organizations started with the donations of trees seedlings to both schools and the community. This was done to encourage the community to initiate/ practice farm forestry, as a way of ensuring they have a way of sustaining their fuel needs. The schools that received trees seedlings included Tabain primary school, Maigoya, Kapsorok, Sachang’wan sec, Koige pri & sec school, Tuyoitich primary school and Mwangi Michuki primary school.
They also donated energy saving jikos (stoves) to the vulnerable members of the community in Jogoo, Sachang’wan, Mukinyai and Giteru villages in Molo District. They organized trainings and demonstration on the installation of the Jiko Liners (stoves) where all the vulnerable members of the community were trained on the installation and maintenance. This is all in the spirit of a greener Africa.

Students from Koige Sec. Molo,

Pupils from Jogoo primary school.

“It is the little things that citizens do that will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees” By Prof. Wangari Maathai.

Necofa Kenya in conjunction with People in Peril Association, Slow food central rift convivium, Slow food International, WRUA, MEAP and YGEP organized a tree planting day/ceremony in honor of the late Professor Wangari Maathai at Tabaini primary school. The participants included the members of staff and students from two primary schools and one secondary school from Kamara location in Molo district.

This event was graced by Necofa Kenya country coordinator Mr. Samuel Muhunyu and Slow Food International vice president John Kariuki. Mr. Samuel Muhunyu emphasized on the importance of environmental conservation as way of mitigating the effects of climate change in Kenya and globally.
He recognized the role of the Professor Maathai in environmental conservation and her desire to collaborate with the rural folks in uplifting their livelihoods,let us all reflect on her work and the best gift we can give our departed heroine is to emulate her and carry on the torch of hope and to continue to protect biodiversity with more vigour, zeal and determination. Yes, her successes should inspire all of us to carry on her dreams for the earth. Long live the dream she put in all of us.

He also emphasized to the school going youths on the importance of hard work and discipline since investing in the youths is investing in sustainability and posterity. A total of 1000 trees were planted during this occasion.

John Kariuki,Slow Food International Vice President.

Jogoo Secondary School.

Cheptoo from Tabain Primary School says a word of prayer for Departed Heroine, Prof. Maathai

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Mr. Muhunyu and Mr. Chege from Necofa.