Climate Action in Education: Planting 10,000 Trees

Heartful greetings and rooted gratitude!

Three years ago, our Climate Action Workshops at Central Primary planted the seeds of change. In October 2024, we celebrated Mazingira Day by bringing that vision to life—a vibrant school garden!

Mazingira Day was a whirlwind of action and teamwork. Under the blazing sun, students and Team RKF eagerly planted flowers, vegetables, and grass. Laughter filled the air as they dug, watered, and raced to complete tasks. By day’s end, exhaustion set in, but so did the deep satisfaction of watching a new garden take root. Read our detailed report:  Blooming Beginning: Central Primary School Garden

Now that our plants have taken root, we’re excited to share updates from the school garden and heartfelt stories from the students who’ve been a part of this growing journey.

Growing with the Garden: Stories from Climate Champs 

As the garden took root, so did the personal connections. For students like Adalla and Elizabeth, the garden is more than plants—it's a classroom and a solution. Their experiences, rooted in the hands-on activities of the garden, reflect the deeper learning that took place not only during the climate action workshops or Mazingira Day but in the ongoing care and stewardship of the garden.

Adalla, a Mazigira Club Patron, shared how the climate action workshops at the RKF Garden shaped his understanding of climate change, particularly deforestation's role in damaging the environment. Now, he sees how their school garden is a part of the solution. He is especially fond of the vegetable garden, where kale and spinach thrive. "We water it every morning and evening before going home," he said, proudly taking on the responsibility of maintaining it. The garden isn't just about upkeep; it's a valuable resource for learning. He often visits the garden for school assignments, identifying flowers and documenting their characteristics. For him, nurturing flowers is more than just an act of care; it's a lesson in growth, recognising how the flowers if correctly tended, could generate income for families.

Elizabeth, another student, has also embraced the lessons the garden offers. She views a garden as where plants, crops, and flowers come to life. "We take care of the school garden by watering it, removing unwanted weeds and mulching when required,” she explained. For her, the flower garden holds special appeal, not only for its beauty but also for its pleasant fragrance. Through this hands-on gardening experience, Elizabeth has learned that flowers aren’t just for home gardens—they can be used to improve the school environment. Reflecting on the workshops, she now has a deeper appreciation for grass, recognising its essential role in preventing soil erosion and supporting the garden's overall health.

School Garden Update

The true stars of our garden have undoubtedly been the vegetables, kale-ing it, one leaf at a time. With just a bit of watering, weeding, and tender care, students and teachers have been enjoying the fruits of their labour. Fresh, hearty produce like kale, cabbage, spinach, amaranthus, coriander, and spring onions have been a welcome addition to the school’s meals. While the prolonged dry spell and limited water access have slowed some of the blooms in our garden, the shrubs like the spider plant and inch plant in the circular flower beds are flourishing. Now that the rainy season has arrived, we’re hopeful that more flowers will soon bloom, adding vibrant hues to brighten the garden further.

Support The Growth of The School Garden

We want to sustain and celebrate the garden while inspiring students like Adalla and Elizabeth to see gardening as a solution. A monthly donation of USD $100 or Kshs.12,500/- will help us support Central Primary’s School Garden with essential tools & trainings for students, ensuring these young learners continue to play an active role in creating a sustainable future.

Links:

• Let's Build More School Gardens
• Read our latest report from our Main Project!
• Follow our Socials for more updates