Project Report
| Jan 4, 2026
Green Fields Program Nourishes the Mind and Body
By John Roccanova | Volunteer Fundraiser
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Dear Donors,
Grow Against Poverty’s Green Fields program continues to support organic gardens at nine schools in Busia County, Kenya. Over 300 students take active roles in tending the gardens and the produce helps feed over 2,000 students. A small portion of the vegetables are sold to buy seeds, organic fertilizer and other items to sustain the gardens.
Each month a Grow Against Poverty volunteer visits individual schools to advise students and their teachers on topics such as climate-smart farming, irrigation practices, regenerative soil health, composting and pest control. These volunteers often travel long distances to get to schools using Buffalo Bicycles as part of our Pedal Power for Kenyan Education program.
Your donations have helped build this program. Your continued support will help Grow Against Poverty partner with additional schools to help educate and feed more students.
Thanks from participating students, their families and staff.
Regards,
John Roccanova
Volunteer Fundraiser
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Sep 19, 2025
Plant a Tree, Plant a Future
By John Roccanova | Volunteer Fundraiser
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Dear Supporter,
As summer comes to a close for us, winter is ending in Kenya, and the “short rains” season is beginning. With recent daytime temperatures in the 70s and nights in the 50s, many vegetables, especially leafy greens ones, thrive. There is plenty for students to do in the school gardens all year as there are two growing seasons. They especially enjoy the school lunches that include garden produce that they grow.
Last month several schools in the Green Fields program took part in the “Tunda Trees in Action” program. Tunda trees are hardy, indigenous trees that grow in Kenya. Members of the Busia County Universities and College Students Association worked along with the younger students. The theme of the program is “Plant a Tree, Plant a Future”.
Thanks to your donations, these programs will continue to provide hundreds of students with organic agriculture training and plenty of nutritious food.
Regards,
John Roccanova
Volunteer Fundraiser
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May 23, 2025
"A Report from the Field"
By John Roccanova | Volunteer Fundraiser
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Dear Supporters,
Grow Against Poverty's Green Fields program is in its fifth year, 3 with GlobalGiving. Following is a report from Nigel Mark Waswa, Volunteer Director of Programs.
"Thus far, Grow Against Poverty has supported 9 schools with farm supplies and gardening equipment to establish vegetable gardens in the Green Fields initiative. The schools then maintain and sustain the gardens with minimal further input support from Grow Against Poverty. The organic vegetable gardens, which are contributing to school lunches while teaching students sustainable agriculture skills, seamlessly fit into Kenya's current content-based curriculum (CBC). The initiative continues to improve student nutrition and impart valuable skills in regenerative agriculture. We are in conversation with other larger organizations to promote regenerative agriculture to provide further training to the young learners in our participating schools as well as complimentary services such as soil testing."
Thanks to Nigel and the other Grow Against Poverty volunteers who have helped the schools get started and who meet with school staff and students throughout the school year.
And thanks for your contributions. Please help us expand this program to the many shools in Busia County that have requested gardens.
Reagards,
John Roccanova
Volunteer Fundraiser
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