KIBERA, NAIROBI'S SLUM
Kibera is the largest slum in Nairobi, Kenya, and also the largest urban slum in Africa. It is home to around 2.5 million people. The residents live in extreme poverty, with little access to clean water, fresh food, and basic necessities. Slum dwellers need ways to obtain affordable and healthy food.
|
SACK FARMS: A NEW SOLUTION
|
A new, creative way of farming is spreading in Kibera to respond to the challenge of food insecurity — sack farming.
Within the packed slums, space is scarece. However, the sacks take little space and utilize the limited space very well. They also help residents avoid growing food near dump sites and sewers, where disease and contamination can occur. In an area where water is scarce and droughts occur often, the sacks allow farmers to water only the soil within the sack that are necessary to the foods grown. These are all helping the residents obtain more fresh vegetables. |
Other than fighting food insecurity, sack farming is also bringing other positive affects. HIV and AIDs is common in the slum, and for better treatment results, nutrients provided by fresh vegetables are crucial. Now that more vegetables are available, the people living with HIV or AIDs will more likely recover better.
Countering poverty is another positive effect. With vegetables more accessible, the prices have decreased, lowering the burden of food costs for the residents. If residents grow their own food, they not only save the money for buying food but can earn additional income, which can contribute to expanding business and employment and sending more children to school.
Countering poverty is another positive effect. With vegetables more accessible, the prices have decreased, lowering the burden of food costs for the residents. If residents grow their own food, they not only save the money for buying food but can earn additional income, which can contribute to expanding business and employment and sending more children to school.
Joyce Anyango, 30, a mother of three, says becoming an independent sack farmer has changed her life. She makes between $40 and $70 per month from selling her vegetables, and plans to increase her number of sacks to boost her income. 'I used to struggle to feed my family,' she says. 'However, these days I not only have vegetables readily available, but also earn some little money from selling them.'" - The Guardian |