School Greening Program at Seguton Primary School

8 July 2024 – Baringo County. “When you start your day with a smile, great things happen”.

This was proved as we launched our School Greening Program at Seguton Primary School. The pupils met us with wide smiles as we arrived. They assisted in carrying the seedlings ahead of the day’s tree-planting activity. KOWYN’s Judy Kipkenda and Sarah Nasimiyu were present.

After the Headteacher’s address, the pupils entertained the audience with environmental conservation-themed songs, a poem, an eating competition, and a balloon-busting game. Like in every competition, the game winners were awarded books and pencils.

Our Executive Director, Judy Kabilo Sakala gave her vision for the program and shared insights on agroecology and the need for synergy with the local community to ensure lasting success.

Seguton Primary School team was well prepared with already dug holes laced with manure. Their unity and initiative attitude are also part of why we chose to work with them. Last year, the school launched potato planting and a cow-rearing project. These income-generating initiatives have helped in taking off the burden of school levies from the guardians/pupils and therefore contributing to free primary education.

In this first phase, we managed to procure and plant 200 fruit tree seedlings of avocados and tommy atkins (mangoes) which are adaptive to cold areas bought from Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service – Kephis. After the event, we all shared a warm meal.

As an affirmation of our starting statement, torrents of rain fell shortly after everyone had departed. This crowned the activity as the ground remains watered and we look forward to going back and planting another set of 200 fruit tree seedlings.

We would like to say thank you to the Seguton Primary School Head teacher Mr. Charles Tarigo and the school teachers for their commitment to organizing the activity, planting the seedlings, and maintaining the seedlings to maturation. Our gratitude also to all the pupils for committing to the exercise and making it a success. Unfortunately, we cannot mention everyone by name, but our hearts are full of the love and commitment from the parents, area pastor, parents, and support staff.

A special thank you to our partners Cultural Survival for making this possible.

Written by Karen Kilwake