Students at St. George’s primary school near Nairobi have participated in an educational tree planting program. This training was arranged by EfD Kenya in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives and the school. The purpose was to create an interest in agriculture.
The students planted a variety of fruit trees including grafted mangoes, grafted avocados, improved pawpaw seedlings, tree tomatoes, and banana circus.
Relaunch of the 4K club
This program is part of the 4K club. During the 80s and 90s, the Kenyan education system had an active policy in the curriculum program that emphasized the importance of agriculture. This was the 4K club. The four Ks stands for “Kuungana, Kufanya, Kusaidia Kenya” in Kiswahili, loosely translating to “coming together, to act, to help Kenya”. This program was re-launched on June 4, 2021 by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Personalized tree names
The tree planting exercise that took place on 29th November 2021 was timely as it corresponded with the short rain season. Participants learned about the required planting hole radius and depth, the needed spacing from one tree to the other, which seedling trees can be planted together in the same row, how to massage the seedling soil in readiness for planting, how to plant, and lastly how to do a follow-up care. The trees were personalized to the students’ names and club patrons assured a well-coordinated arrangement in nurturing the trees to maturity through following a watering guide and others.
Encourages an interest in agriculture
The 4K club (Kuungana,kufanya,kusaidia Kenya) aims at encouraging primary school pupils to have a positive attitude toward agriculture. The school was amongst the chosen seedling beneficiaries of the ministry since they met the following requirements: enabling infrastructure and the existence of the 4K club.
This event was part of EfD Kenya’s outreach program. The principal was very happy about the tree planting exercise and invited more of such collaborations. The students were also happy and noted that “trees provide fresh air.”
By: Jane Maina