by Amanda Drollinger, AWC Central Scotland and Target Program Chair
The Target Project Awesome Blossoms Safe Spaces is based within the curtilage of two schools in Mathare, Nairobi, Kenya. The schools selected have reliable access to an adequate road network, as well as access to water sources through piped water from the Nairobi City Council and borehole water. Additionally, both areas have access to reliable and affordable electricity. These are all critical to the success of the project. They are also gated and have security for the schools, which will protect the hydroponic farm infrastructure.
A brief overview of Our Lady of Mercy Primary School – site of Awesome Blossoms’ Farm 1
Our Lady of Mercy Shauri Moyo Primary School was established in 1929 as a government school for African children in Nairobi. The school has faced challenges with overcrowding and limited resources, but efforts have been made to address these issues, including the construction of new classrooms. The school remains an important institution in the community, providing education to over 950 girls from diverse backgrounds.
This video documenting the planting of Farm 1 gives us the opportunity to see the grounds of the school and the people that work and learn there, including their reactions to learning about and participating in hydroponic farming
A brief overview of Muslim Primary School – site of Awesome Blossoms’ Farm 2
Muslim Primary School was established in the 1980s in response to the growing immigrant population from Somalia in Nairobi. The community requested a Muslim school to educate their children, leading to the establishment of the school as a purely Muslim institution during its early years. In the early 2000s, there was a significant policy shift. The school’s policy was reviewed and amended, abolishing the exclusive religious affiliation requirement. Consequently, the school became inclusive, welcoming children from diverse religious backgrounds.
This idea is a good one. We hope it is going to be a benefit not only to us but to the community.
– Ester Mawia, Headteacher of Our Lady of Mercy
We have learned how to plant vegetables without soil.
– Student
We are in Nairobi and don’t have large farms. This is information that is going to help us to get enough food on our tables… And it is going to improve the nutrition of our girls and even our families.
– Teacher
