Students turn school gardens into climate solutions
School garden farmers like Elizabeth are adopting climate-smart farming, leading Kenya towards a greener future and feeding their families.
Under the shade of a tree in Kilifi County, 6th grade student Elizabeth takes a break from working in her school garden. Along with thousands of other children across Kenya, she is turning her school garden into a climate solution and setting a powerful example for the nation.
“Kenya has been experiencing a prolonged drought, fewer trees and less fresh air circulation,” explains Elizabeth. “This means we don’t have enough to eat at home or at school. That’s why I joined the 4K Club – to be part of the people who are helping Kenya.”
Elizabeth is a member of her school’s 4K Club, an environmental school programme that helps students gain hands-on experience in agriculture and food production, climate-smart farming practices and sustainable conservation activities.
The name of the club, she explains, reflects its mission: “4K means kuungana (‘unite’), kufanya (‘act’), kusaidia (‘help’) and Kenya. When we come together, we can get things done faster and easier.” It’s a fitting name for a project that aims to introduce young people to the world of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices for the benefit of the country’s future.
Becoming a school garden farmer
Elizabeth and her fellow club members – part of a network of more than 8,600 students – meet twice a week to learn about farming and tree planting. They grow watermelons, aubergines, yams and other vegetables in their garden. The harvest has both environmental and practical benefits, helping the students to feed their families when money is tight.
“Kenya has been experiencing a prolonged drought. This means we don’t have enough to eat.”
Elizabeth
Students learn to plant trees, manage waste, conserve water and adopt sustainable agricultural practices – skills that are crucial to mitigating the effects of climate change. As well as learning conservation skills, the children take part in sports and games with other club members, visit other 4K clubs in the area, hold competitions and take part in trips to farms and agricultural shows.
As young farmers like Elizabeth take the reins of Kenya’s agricultural landscape, they will carry with them the knowledge and values instilled by this visionary partnership. With their skills and commitment, they have the potential to lead Kenya into a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.
While Elizabeth dreams of becoming a doctor, she says she is currently focused on healing the environment. “I don’t like it when the environment is not taken care of,” she says.
Elizabeth adds that her school garden is thriving, growing vegetables not only for the school but also for the local community.
About the 4K Club
Originally launched by the Kenyan government in 1962, the 4K Club was relaunched in 2021 with a renewed focus on sustainability and resilience in agriculture. The programme aims to instil in young people the values of hard work, responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Plan International works with the Ministry of Agriculture to provide technical training and resources, including shade nets to protect crops.
Categories: Education, Emergencies
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