P4P Volunteer Travelers Share More About Their Trip – By Sue Hansen

On this part of our whirlwind trip we focused on P4P’s farming and other economic development projects.

P4P Farming

Our agriculture programs teach farmers innovative farming methods, like Farming God’s Way (FGW). Twice per year 25 farmers at a time are recruited, trained and provided seeds and fertilizers to plant using the methods they learned during training.  Then, P4P staff monitors their farms, providing advice and support during the growing and harvesting season, helping to ensure the farmers have bumper crops to not only feed their families, but sell at the market for additional income.

We were excited to visit a number of farms, including P4P farmer Joel, who has an amazing farm supporting his family as well.  

Beginning in 2023 P4P made an important strategic decision to add families enrolled in our Power of Milk (POM) program to the farmer training program. These participants, many of whom are single parents or grandparents, are given special attention and training on their often small plots.  The results have been amazing, resulting in much needed available food for their children.

P4P ‘s goal is to add even more POM families – even as many as 85% of the participants – to the program so they can learn sustainable farming that will support their family.

We were delighted to give farming utensils to two of our most successful farmers.

One is a FGW lead farmer, a 65 year old woman named Elsa, who trained with P4P, but now works without P4P support. Elsa has steadily expanded her operation and earns a good living from her farm.

Both Elsa and Joel were thrilled to receive the P4P gift of farm tools.

Notably, Joshua says that he could train up to 50 farmers at a time if we had the resources to do so.

P4P Demo Plot

The visit to the P4P Demo Plot was one the absolute brightest spots of our Kenyan journey!

The P4P Demo Plot is a large, fenced plot that P4P Agriculture Coordinator Joshua uses for a variety of purposes including practical demonstrations of how to plant crops using FGW methods and providing plant starters for purchase by local villagers.

Here we saw a large variety of crops being raised including maize (corn), orange flesh potatoes (known here as sweet potatoes), kale and other greens.  We were thrilled to see that the both monkey plant and Eucalyptus tree planted a year ago by P4P volunteers Sandy Ivers and Stacey Mainer are thriving!

Our group got into the game. Under the watchful eye and instruction of Joshua, Garry planted a Jack Fruit tree, Jeremy planted an indigenous tree and I planted a White Sappote fruit tree.

It was clear that Joshua’s knowledge is phenomenal!  People come from all over the area – hearing about the plot by word of mouth.

In fact one now enormously successful farmer, Charles Juma, got his start by observing what was happening at the Demo plot and contacting Joshua to assist him in implementing the methods at his farm.  While Charles was not a direct beneficiary of P4P’s resources what he learned from Joshua helped him to improve and expand his operations.

As a side note, we visited Charles farm and we were blown away by his impressive enterprise.  From tomatoes to poultry to composting to many other fruits and vegetables, Charles farm is now a model for others to follow, and it started with advice from P4P!

In addition to Charles’ farm, Joshua has a number of other model farms (some of which we visited) that he now sends farmers to – for learning/sharing purposes.

We were really excited by the quality of the P4P staff.  Joshua for instance was trained through P4P funding is working on his certification in FGW methods.  When Joshua completes his certification, he will be able to train trainers – and hopes that he can attract farmers from all over the county to attend FGW training at the P4P Demo Plot.

More projects, more hope!

In addition to crops, P4P supports other types of farming such as poultry and goats.  Our poultry and goat farmers have had some great success stories, and others not so much.

We learned that both have pluses and minuses. Poultry has much higher returns than goats as well as in a shorter time period, but higher risks, mostly from disease. Joshua says that the local breed of goats are not dairy goats – and to get dairy goats would be an extra expense – plus they might not do well in the local farms.  We visited a very well set up and running chicken operation that Joshua uses as a model for others considering chickens.

We concluded that families for both FGW and animal projects must be carefully selected to ensure they are ready to take on the projects.

Clearly there is still a need for our Maendeleo Pamoja (entrepreneurship) programs. For instance, the soapmaking enterprises we funded are having continued success.  We agreed that P4P should continue to see out and encourage innovative ideas for sustainability projects. 

All in all our team was thrilled with the overall success of our Economic Development programs.

Garry expressed what we all felt when he said, “It was incredibly touching to see and feel the genuine gratitude expressed by people touched by P4P programs. We are giving hope and making a difference.”

P4P Volunteer Traveler Sue Hansen’s Update on the P4P Power of Milk (POM) Program

The P4P POM program is running well and is impressive. It is uplifting to see that we are helping many children, but also sad that a few are still very malnourished. It is an important focus of the P4P Health Committee to move from treatment of poverty and the malnourished to prevention – but much work remains to be done!

Our POM Day visit was incredible. Both the US volunteers and Kenyan staff were involved, including serving lunch to the families, assisting with the food basket distribution, and participating in the infant checks.  Here P4P volunteers join staff to serve P4P POM families.

Currently there are 31 families enrolled our POM program, with a number of others on the wait list. The wait list families are attending the nutrition/prevention classes and receive the lunch, but not food baskets or “take home” baby supplements.

On the day we visited 4 babies “graduated” from the POM program.  Data from the POM day shows that in February 7 babies are severely malnourished, with another 11 very malnourished.  The remainder are still considered malnourished but are steadily improving.  The babies are always measured and weighed on POM day in order to assess their progress.

In this picture, P4P volunteers Jeremy Gratz and Melinda Tompkins prepare to hand out these beautiful handmade blankets donated from a volunteer in Spokane.

An important part of the POM program is P4P staff going on “home visits” to the families who are either new to the program, or whose babies are severely malnourished and struggling.

We accompanied staff on a couple of these home visits. Both families lived at least 3 miles from the clinic – both attend the weekly POM program.  Since neither family has transportation, it means they must walk

One of the families is a young woman with twins – who are now 2 years old.  The boy – Bonofos – was very ill from birth, and at one point required a blood transfusion.  He is in the POM program.  The girl twin has had no problems and is not in the program.  Mom also has a 9-month-old that is doing well.  Here is a picture of Mom and children during the home visit.

The other family – parents with 3 children were home and another child was away at Primary School.  Sadly, the father was recently disabled by what we could discern was probably a stroke.  His whole left side is paralyzed, and so it is very difficult for him to work in the field or do much to help at home.  Mom relayed that she wishes someone could help her build a better house, as the roof leaks on theirs. 

It is obvious from our observations that both Rose and Charles are well respected and listened to by the POM families.  They were both able to speak frankly to the families and direct them in taking care of their babies and family.

We are working on prevention! P4P Staff member Rose spent a considerable amount of time with Melinda and me, going over all the elements of the prevention program.  She is well versed in the causes of malnutrition and gave us a very detailed and informative summary of the factors affecting nutrition and the preventive strategies. 

Rose and Charles both acknowledge that the POM weekly food baskets are a short-term solution to infant/child nutrition and food insecurity. 

Fathers are encouraged to be involved in the program, and to increase sustainability, Rose and Charles discuss the following items with families – both at the weekly nutrition classes, and at the home visits.

Family planning and contraception is discussed with new mothers – and they are encouraged to obtain contraceptives from the clinic (for free).

Prenatal visits are also encouraged.  These are free and include supplements for the mother.

New parents can receive mosquito nets and malaria medication.

Food preparation – How to prepare foods and what types of food are good for family members and babies – during home visits, Charles and Rose check on how the food basket items are being used – who is eating them, etc.

Water Treatment Education – Water Guard is available at the local clinics and P4P has helped distribute Water Guard.  Rose said that if this is not available, she encourages families to boil their water. 

As families become more stable, with Joshua’s observation and input, Rose and Charles talk to families about becoming a P4P Farming God’s Way farmer. 

Volunteers in Kenya Visit Demo Plot

P4P Demo Plot Provides Excellent Training Opportunities

Some of our amazing volunteers visited the Kopanga region last month to check on progress and see where we can better help the community.

One of the brightest spots of their Kenyan journey was the P4P Farming God’s Way (FGW) Demo Plot.  FGW is a unique farming method that utilizes composting, mulching and other techniques to preserve water and control weeds.  Both of which are important in rural Kopanga where rainfall can be short. 

P4P Kenya staff developed and are maintaining the P4P Demo Plot to train local villagers in FGW methods that can help them improve their crop yields.  This in turn means they have more food for their families, and can sell the excess at the market, giving them additional income as well.

During their recent trip, P4P volunteers visited all P4P programs, including the Demo Plot. In this picture P4P volunteers Derrik Gratz (second from left) and Garry Morgan (third from left) join P4P staff members Joshua (on left) and Charles (on far right), in touring the Demo Plot.

Derrik and Garry shared that the Demo Plot is amazing and that Joshua – P4P Agriculture Coordinator – has phenomenal knowledge about farming.

People come from all over the area – hearing about the plot by word of mouth.

In addition to training at the plot, starters of plants can be purchased at the FGW demo plot so people can use them at their own farms.

Joshua has a number of model farms that he now sends farmers to – for learning/sharing purposes.

Collins’ Story

Collins Otieno is 14 and is the oldest in a family of 3 children. He lives with his parents in Magongo village and managed to attain an amazing score of 383 on his 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education at Magongo-Ribe primary school.

Collins’ parents are small scale farmers and casual laborers in the neighboring communities, but their income is not enough to pay for Collins’ high school, junior school fees for his two siblings and other expenses at home.

So Collins and his family tried to stay hopeful, but thought he would be unable to go on to high school.

“No one in my village thought that I could go to high school regardless of how high my exam scores were.” Collins said. But he still kept hope that at some point his hard work would pay off and he could achieve his dream of becoming a doctor.

Because of a P4P scholarship all of Collins’ hard work and determination finally did pay off!

“Many thanks to P4P, for you have lit up my candle, I have an opportunity to join Mbita Boys’ High School, one of the best schools in Kenya.”

ASANTE SANA!

Van’s Story

Van Ochieng is 15 and lives with his parents in Mubachi village, where he attended Magongo Ribe Primary school.
His father (Nicholas Okeyo) is a small-scale farmer with a big family, 5 children of his own and 4 other children. Van is the oldest with three sisters and a brother.

“Life has never been easy managing such a big family with the small income I earn” Van’s father said.

Throughout his school years, Van tried his best to get good marks all while balancing school work and challenges at home. Van was motivated by his teachers who assured him that his hard work will pay off regardless of his difficult background.

Pay off it did! Van had an excellent score of 362 on his final exams for his 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education. When he applied for a P4P scholarship and got it, he couldn’t believe it, because he knew there were many other deserving students who applied for the same scholarship.

“I am extremely grateful to receive a P4P scholarship.” Van says. Today Van is attending his dream school Kanyawanga Boys High School knowing that his hard work and education will pay off with a better future. Van’s father is also very grateful, saying “Previous years have been really tough for my family. We are all so appreciative of a P4P scholarship for taking a huge burden off of our shoulders in this difficult moment.”

Jackeline’s Story

Fifteen year old Jackeline Vera, is the second born in a family of five. Fortunately, both of her parents are living, but her hopes of joining high school were nearly dashed due to the fact her family cannot afford school fees. You see, Obwato (Jackeline’s father) is a small- scale farmer and the family income is hardly enough to feed the family.

So, Jackeline’s hope for a secondary education was dim, and she was prepared to stay at home to give her parents time to accumulate enough money to pay for the secondary school tuition and fees.

Despite having such a slim chance to go on to secondary school, Jackeline never gave up, worked very hard at her studies, and managed to score 314 on her final Primary School test – a great score. So, with hard work and perseverance she graduated from Primary School and received the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education.

Then, P4P stepped in with a P4P scholarship and Jackeline is on her way to continuing her education.

“Hard work pays!”, Jackeline says. “Now I have the opportunity to join my dream school, Ogada Girls’ High School, through a Partnering for Progress scholarship! Asante Sana!”

Brian’s Story

Brian Davis is 15 years old and is the first born in a family of 5 children.  Brian lives with his parents in Giribe, a rural village near the mountains. Like many families in rural Kenya, Brian’s parents depend mostly on farming to support their family along with sometimes selling charcoal.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to make ends meet so the odds were stacked against Brian fulfilling his dream of going to high school, despite how hard he was working.

But Brian stayed motivated by the success stories he heard around his community about how P4P scholarships had helped needy students like him.

“I believed in myself and focused on my studies to win a scholarship too. Previously my head teacher Mr. Atha used to encourage the top scorers in my class to work hard for a P4P scholarship.” Brian Davis said. Because of his hard work, smarts and commitment, Brian ended up winning a P4P scholarship, becoming the first child from his immediate or extended family to attend a better secondary school.

“Many thanks to P4P for giving me the opportunity to join Kanyawanga Boys’ High School. What a joy and blessings! I have no words to express how grateful I am,” Davis said.  ASANTE SANA! (Thank you!)

Kennedy’s Story

Kennedy Otieno is 15 and is the 4^th child in his family of five. Sadly, Kennedy’s father passed on when he was in the first grade. Even when his father was alive, life was not easy for the family, but after his father passed, the burden of caring for the family fell upon his mother, Jenifer Awino.

Even though Jenifer worked hard as a casual laborer, Kennedy and his siblings grew up in absolute poverty. Then, when Jenifer fell ill 4 years ago and could not work as she used to do, things became even worse for the family. They could barely survive let alone afford high school for Kennedy.

Knowing that education is what breaks the cycle of poverty, Kennedy worked incredibly hard in primary school, scoring an amazing 347 on his final exams.  Then he was faced with the same hard fact that kept his siblings from high school and a better life – the family simply could not afford the tuition and fees required for him to go on to high school – Kennedy felt doomed.

Imagine his joy when Kennedy was selected for a P4P scholarship!  As a result of the scholarship, today the bright boy Kennedy is attending his dream school, Migori Boys High School.  Notably, he Is the first child from his family to proceed to high school.

Kennedy vows to work extra hard in school not for himself, but to put smiles on the faces of his mother and for his family.  P4P restored Kennedy’s hopes and dreams, making his new journey to high school possible.  Asante Sana (Thank you)!

Naomi’s Story

Otieno Naomi Cherry is 15 and is the fourth born in a family of 6. She is a total orphan who with her siblings, are under the care of her Aunt Hellen.

Aunt Hellen works hard as a farmer to ensure that her own 3 children, along with Naomi and her siblings, can access basic needs and receive an education.

To send Naomi to high school Aunt Hellen was faced with a cost of about $500 – way too much for her to pay on her own given her large family.  You can imagine she was at a loss for what to do.

Thankfully, when Naomi beat all the odds and achieved a remarkable score of 317 on her final primary school exam and received her 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education at Giribe primary school, P4P stepped in to help with a scholarship.

Naomi and her Aunt Hellen are both so grateful for the P4P scholarship.  Now Naomi can pursue her dreams at Moi Suba Girls High School. They both say, “THANK YOU!”

Meet Sylvano, Farmer Extraordinaire

While on their trip, Stacey and Sandy visited the farm of Sylvano, who is one of the original farmers P4P trained.

Sylvano is a retired teacher and was enrolled in a P4P poultry program.  In this program P4P makes an initial investment of 100 chicks, immunizations, and feed to help the participant get started.

Sylvano worked hard at the program, overcoming many challenges. Although he lost a substantial number of chicks in his first season he pressed on with guidance from Joshua, P4P’s Kenya Ag Program Coordinator.  Sylvano did not sell his chicks and now uses surrogate hens to tend the mature hens’ fertilized eggs.  His operation is very organized moving the chicks to different pens as they age.  He sells both chicken and eggs.

Eggs from Sylvano’s hens.

The cost of feed in Kenya has greatly increased resulting in several of the poultry farmers selling their birds rather continue breed them. However, Sylvano ingeniously overcame the cost of feed by using a rented crusher to mix his home-grown feed from his own crops.

Today, Sylvano not only raises poultry and sells eggs, but also raises a variety of other crops as well. His farm provides a model success story, and he gladly shares his knowledge with others.