Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) distributed fruit seedlings to 98 schools in Embu and Meru counties of Kenya.
The population in Embu and Meru counties of Kenya is over 1.5 million, and they are facing difficulties such as drought and poverty. Agriculture is the essential livelihood of the people in these regions.
Within the scope of the “Fruit Gardening for Amplified School Meals Project” carried out by TİKA in these counties, fruit seedlings were distributed to 98 schools, in which 40,000 students are receiving education. Seedlings of fruits such as avocado, citrus, papaya, passion fruit, mango, and macadamia nuts were delivered to authorities to be planted.
Within the scope of the project carried out with the cooperation of TİKA and Mama Doing Good Organisation, founded by Rachel Ruto, wife of the President of Kenya, 22,800 fruit seedlings were distributed in total.
The project aims to amplify the students’ school meals by enabling schools to produce fruits and increase their income by selling extra products.
The opening ceremony, which took place at Rukira Elementary School, was attended by Vice Governor of Embu, Kinyua Mugo; TİKA’s Coordinator in Nairobi, Yasemin Cansuz Kurt; CEO of Mama Doing Good Organisation, John Chumo; representatives of national ministries and establishments in Embu, and teachers and students of cooperating schools.
Teachers stated that projects that support school meals such as this are increasing the attendance rate of the students.
In her opening speech, TİKA’s Coordinator in Nairobi, Kurt, gave information about TİKA’s projects in Embu and all across Kenya.
During the opening, which received great interest from the local and national press, a puppet show which aimed to raise awareness of the environment was demonstrated to the students.
Political representatives, who were present at the opening thanks to TİKA’s project, committed to supporting the schools’ agriculture and farming clubs.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).