In rural Kenya, access to education is limited. Boys are often given preference when families can only afford to send one child. And if a girl becomes pregnant, the shame and stigma can keep her away from school. These girls become more vulnerable without the skills needed to gain an income.
Very few girls learn sustainable living practices, so we’re intentionally educating our students in permaculture. Permaculture is a holistic approach to agriculture and community development that focuses on creating self-sustaining ecosystems. It aligns perfectly with the needs of rural Kenya, where food security, environmental conservation, and economic stability are vital.
Women play a pivotal role in the economic and social fabric of rural Kenyan communities. However, girls often face barriers in accessing education and acquiring essential life skills. We’re working diligently to bridge this gap by providing permaculture education to girls.
Young women at Neema are now learning how to cultivate organic crops and gaining knowledge in soil conservation, water management, and waste recycling. These skills empower them to address the pressing challenge of food insecurity in their communities!
Teaching both permaculture and tailoring encourages entrepreneurship. Girls can start their own small-scale businesses, contributing to their families' income or providing for their own children.
Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of these young girls and the communities they are transforming. Together, we are sowing the seeds of a sustainable and healthy future.
Neema’s permaculture efforts have been supported by the Earth Allies Regenerative Network (EARN).
"Female- and male-managed plots experience significant improvements in productivity when the women who tend them are empowered. These findings provide evidence that women’s empowerment contributes not only to reducing the gender gap in agricultural productivity, but also to improving, specifically, productivity from farms managed by women. Thus, rural development interventions in Kenya that aim to increase agricultural productivity—and, by extension, improve food security and reduce poverty—could achieve greater impact by integrating women’s empowerment into existing and future projects."
Give now to help young women access permaculture skills training.
You can help vulnerable young women in rural Kenya today.
Visit our YouTube page to see testimonial videos of some of our past students.
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