A Collaboration Between Growing to Give and Kichini Gardeners

At Growing to Give (G2G), we are proud to partner with Kichini Gardeners in our collaborative project, "Sowing the Seeds of Resilience and Empowerment for Uganda’s Children." This initiative seeks to enhance food security for marginalized children in Kampala, Uganda, by establishing sustainable outdoor fruit and vegetable gardens using innovative Crop Circle Gardens technology. Our goal is to empower children through environmentally friendly gardening practices and community produce distribution, fostering resilience and well-being.

About Kichini Gardeners

Kichini Gardeners is a unique environmental organization in the central region of Uganda. Their mission is to help children connect with people and the environment, learn about sustainable gardening, and lead for a greener future and peaceful communities. Their vision is a global community where every child enjoys and learns about safe food and a healthy planet through gardening.

Founded by Irene Nagudi, a Kofi Annan Changemaker in 2021, Kichini Gardeners was named by the children Irene teaches. The organization's goal is to change the mindset of parents and engage teachers in promoting environmental conservation and growing food. Many children come from rural areas and slums where malnutrition is common. Irene’s action plan includes teaching children to grow greens at home, sharing the benefits of nutrition with parents, and engaging teachers. As Irene says, "If we do something, we can change the world."

Project Overview

In May 2024, we received a generous grant from the Blooming Prairie Foundation, for which both teams are extremely grateful. This grant supports Kichini Gardeners, a future-focused food security agency in Wakiso, Uganda. The project focuses on teaching children how to sustainably grow their own food and mentor their parents, siblings, and communities in nutrition and sustainability. Many of the 6- to 14-year-old children they work with come from rural areas and slums where families often eat limited diets, sometimes only cassava flour and beans, leading to malnutrition.

Through the implementation of Crop Circle Gardens, Kichini Gardeners will help children supplement their meals with nutritious food grown at their homes and schools. The children will learn sustainable systems for growing food, conserving water and fertilizer, growing without chemicals, and utilizing technology to overcome environmental and economic challenges. Growing food that they enjoy, such as collard greens, Swiss chard, and native vegetables like buga and nakati, will encourage them to share their knowledge and bounty with their families and consider agriculture as a promising career path.

Project Goals and Impact

This project will help combat food insecurity within Wakiso, foster environmental sustainability, and empower the community. Children and families will learn to take charge of their food security and environmental stewardship. Kichini Gardeners strive to empower children and youth to tackle challenges and take on new experiences, teaching them about nature and the effects of climate change.

How You Can Help

Help Kichini Gardeners receive the gift of low water-use garden systems they will place directly into soil or in large bags full of soil and seed with healthy greens. With your help, we will send the children Crop Circle Gardens, provide sustainable gardening knowledge, and send funds to Kichini Gardeners to purchase seeds, transplants, garden tools, and watering cans. Together we can outfit entire schools and communities in Kampala and the surrounding rural areas. Donate today and be a part of this transformative journey.

For large donations or corporate partnerships, please contact Siobhan Shaw, Co-founder, at [email protected].