On May 26, 2025, WEMA Health Foundation, in collaboration with EcoFarm Organics and with generous support from the Oak Grove United Methodist Church’s Children’s Ministry (USA), officially launched a Vertical Kitchen Garden at Daisy Learning Centre in Githurai Kimbo, Nairobi. This marks the latest milestone under the WEMA Seeds of Change Project, a grassroots initiative designed to empower schools and communities through sustainable agriculture, health promotion, and food security.
This transformative project will directly benefit over 100 students at the Centre by introducing them to nutrient-rich, organically grown vegetables such as spinach, kale, and lettuce. Within just six weeks, the school is expected to begin its first harvest, with enough supply projected to last the entire year. The harvested produce will enrich school meals, which have traditionally consisted of rice and beans, by introducing essential vitamins and minerals necessary for child growth and development.
The Vertical Kitchen Garden goes beyond food production. It serves as a “living classroom” in line with Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), equipping pupils with practical skills in organic farming and environmental stewardship. Through hands-on participation, students learn the value of sustainable agriculture, soil health, and healthy eating habits—skills they can carry with them for life.
“This is more than a garden,” said Teresiah, founder, Ecofarm Organics and member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church, which shares a close partnership with Daisy Learning Centre. “It’s a tool for health promotion, disease prevention, and a means to influence both children and their families. We’re tackling food insecurity and poor nutrition head-on, while also addressing harmful agricultural practices that have left much of our soil acidic and our food contaminated with banned chemicals.”
Recognizing that food security extends beyond the classroom, the initiative will include workshops for parents and church congregants. These sessions target promoting awareness of safe, nutritious food and provide training on how to create home-based kitchen gardens using sustainable methods such as homemade biofertilizers. The goal is to help families grow food right at their doorsteps, reducing household food bills and promoting healthier eating habits.
Kenya currently faces growing concerns about food safety, with a reported 63% of its soils being acidic due to the overuse of toxic chemicals. By educating the next generation and empowering households, WEMA Health Foundation and its partners aim to reverse this trend—promoting health from the soil to the table.
The WEMA Seeds of Change project is a timely intervention that bridges health, education, and agriculture. It reflects a deep commitment to community resilience, self-reliance, and holistic well-being.
