Update from MOTHERLAND
Building Future Thriving and Life-Serving Generations in Siaya
Over the past few months, MOTHERLAND’s work in Siaya, Kenya, has been defined by both progress and resilience. Though political instability and social unrest briefly interrupted daily life, the situation has since stabilized, allowing our work to continue without further disruption. Despite these challenges, along with the immediate impacts of climate change—erratic weather patterns, disrupted planting seasons, and sudden intense rains—our local team, led by Catherine, Violet, and Job, has remained steadfast. Their dedication to regenerative agriculture and community empowerment enabled us to sustain and expand our impact on smallholder farmers. Now, with stability restored, our most transformative initiative—the Young Earth Guardian School Project—is planting the seeds for a new generation of environmental stewards and agricultural leaders.
JOIN us at our two online fundraising events.
1st event is on the 20th of November from 1 to 2pm CET online. You will learn from the kids we work with in Siaya → Please register here to join the event.
2nd event is on the 10th of December for 4 to 5pm CET. You will learn from the farmers we are working with in Siaya → Please register here to join the event.
A Recap of Recent Progress: From May to October 2024
The past few months have been a true testament to the strength and commitment of our team and partners. Here’s a brief look at what’s been happening on the ground:
May 2024: Our team began preparations for the upcoming planting season amidst extreme weather variability. MOTHERLAND closely monitored over 300 smallholder farms to assess the impacts of these conditions on bean and chia crops in Gori village and provided vital support to stabilise yields. Introducing more climate-resilient crop varieties and enhancing water management systems helped minimise potential losses and build farmer resilience against future shocks.
June 2024: As bean harvesting season began, we faced the challenge of post-harvest losses, which can reach up to 30% in some areas. MOTHERLAND provided hermetic storage bags and drying materials to 150 families in Siaya, significantly reducing spoilage and increasing marketable produce. This intervention alone boosted farmer income by an average of 20%, allowing them to reinvest in their farms and send their children to school.
July 2024: One of the biggest threats we addressed was the invasive Striga weed, which devastates cereal crops, leading to losses of up to 100%. With the help of the Young Earth Guardians, we launched a community campaign to introduce integrated pest management strategies, including crop rotation and the use of resistant seed varieties. Over 100 children actively participated, sharing their newfound knowledge with their families and reinforcing the importance of sustainable farming practices.
August 2024: We kicked off a series of workshops on regenerative agricultural practices and climate change awareness for our dedicated farmers and the Young Earth Guardian School students. These sessions focused on the principles of conservation agriculture—minimal soil disturbance, maintaining soil cover, and crop rotation—which are essential for building long-term soil health and enhancing resilience.
September 2024: As short rains approached, the team distributed seeds from last season’s harvest to over 200 farmers, ensuring they planted varieties adapted to local conditions. Using seeds that have demonstrated resilience helps maintain genetic integrity and lowers the need for costly external inputs. This is foundational in building a seed sovereignty movement within the community.
October 2024: Our most recent initiative involved setting up nursery beds for approximately 2,000–3,000 indigenous trees in two villages. This effort, driven by our Young Earth Guardians, aims to restore soil fertility, increase biodiversity, and create natural windbreaks. These young stewards have led this reforestation project, demonstrating the power of youth-led conservation efforts.
The Young Earth Guardian School: Cultivating Future Stewards
At the core of our strategy is the Young Earth Guardian School Project, an initiative that combines practical agricultural training with a broader vision for community transformation. Currently, the program is running in two schools (pap gori primary and Lolwe primary), with plans to expand to five pilot schools over the coming year, directly educating over 2,500 students.
Each school is a live learning centre where students are taught to establish and maintain organic vegetable gardens. Under the mentorship of Joseph, a local farmer skilled in regenerative techniques, the children learn everything from permaculture design to composting, natural pest management, and sustainable water use.
Through hands-on learning, the students gain more than technical knowledge—they develop a sense of ownership and pride in their role as land stewards.
The ripple effect is tangible: 50% of parents engaged in agriculture are now adopting the techniques taught by their children, contributing to a community-wide shift towards sustainable practices.
A Systemic Solution for Climate Resilience and Community Empowerment
The long-term impact of the Young Earth Guardian School Project is systemic. By transforming schools into hubs of regenerative learning, we are creating a network of young leaders who will carry these values and skills into adulthood. This project equips children to thrive in a climate-impacted world and sets the foundation for a resilient local economy based on sustainable agriculture. In a region where agriculture is often considered a poverty trap, we aim to reshape this perception—to make farming a viable, attractive, and dignified career choice.
The systemic potential of this program lies in its ability to catalyze a multi-generational transformation. As the children grow into leaders within their communities, the knowledge, and practices they acquire will spread, reducing environmental degradation, increasing food security, and creating a regenerative agricultural economy that can withstand future climate shocks.
A Vital Opportunity for Support
Our journey is at a pivotal stage. We are laying a foundation in Siaya and in five pilot schools, covering essentials such as salaries, materials, and expert-led training sessions. Yet to realize the full impact of the Young Earth Guardians Program across all 67 schools in Siaya, additional resources are essential. The stakes are high: without further funding, we risk losing the momentum we’ve built and the chance to enable lasting change.
The Young Earth Guardians are not just learning regenerative agriculture—they are becoming leaders. They embody a new rural Africa that champions resilience, sustainability, and community.
By supporting this initiative, you invest in a future where young leaders actively shape their world. Here’s how:
1. Children as Change Agents: We empower 6,000 children, teaching them to shape their future and inspire positive change in their communities.
2. Hands-On Learning: Through play-based training, children learn regenerative farming techniques, fostering climate resilience, food security, and economic development.
3. Agriculture as Innovation: Children become advocates for sustainability within their families, translating their skills into lasting agricultural practices at home.
4. Making Farming “Cool”: Practical skills are paired with core values like environmental awareness and sustainability, transforming schools into regenerative learning centers and ensuring accessible food sources on-site.
With an investment of €25 per child over three years, we can provide these life-changing opportunities. For every €4 invested, an individual in the community benefits from improved nutrition, climate resilience, and reduced dependence on external resources.
Together, let’s cultivate a generation of young earth guardians who will lead their communities toward a sustainable, self-reliant future.
Building a Regenerative Future, One School at a Time
As we look towards the coming months, we focus on scaling this impact. The success of the current pilot schools will serve as a proof of concept, demonstrating the viability of integrating regenerative education into the broader school system. With additional support, we can train more teachers, establish more school gardens, and ultimately create a resilient, interconnected community of young Earth Guardians who will carry forward the legacy of sustainable land stewardship.
We are calling on all our supporters, partners, and those who believe in the power of education to join us in securing the future of MOTHERLAND. Your contributions will ensure that we can continue to grow, turning Siaya into a beacon of regenerative agriculture in Kenya and beyond.
If you’d like to support our mission, we like to invite you to a town hall to meet our team and explore your opportunities to support our and your impact. Together, we can nurture a generation that is prepared to not only face the challenges of tomorrow, but to thrive in them.
JOIN us at our two online fundraising events.
1st event is on the 20th of November from 1 to 2pm CET online. You will learn from the kids
in Siaya → Please register here to join the event.
2nd event is on the 10th of December for 4 to 5pm CET. You will learn from the farmers in Siaya → Please register here to join the event.
Support us on bcause
If you want to support or work and bring regenerative practices to school kids for 8€ per year per kid then you can support us via bcause
For further questions get in touch with our Siaya team lead Cathrin or Sebastian from MOTHERLAND Germany.