"Organics 4 Orphans" Course in Kenya

The “Organics 4 Orphans” course I attended in February with two of my Malawian counterparts, in Kitale, Kenya, was not just a great experience overall, but the course content provided a wealth of life-changing material.  The organic bio-intensive farming training is proving to be directly applicable to everyday life here at Hope Village.  The natural medicine course has also been a phenomenal blessing, as we have been using the information learned with almost every patient we help. 

One of the most fun parts of the month-long course was just living amongst Africans from five other countries.  I also lived without indoor plumbing, or other modern conveniences.  I had to take bucket baths, help cook outdoors with chopped wood,  wash my clothes in a bucket, and use the “long drop” (toilet – hole in the ground).   I got a real sense of what its like to live as a villager in a village home.  My fellow students were so helpful to me, and it felt as though I were living with friends I’d known for a long time. 

A simple hole in the ground is affectionately called the "long drop"

 With the information we learned from the organics farming training, we at Hope Village are starting a community garden right here in our midst.  Plots of land at Hope Village will be lent out to our staff to farm.  They’ll learn how to do organic bio-intensive farming.  We’ll also teach which vegetables, herbs, and trees to plant to improve their nutritional intake, and how to use their food to be their medicine—and how medicine can be food.   Whatever they farm will be used for their personal use, and there should be plenty left to sell as well; thereby, adding financially to their efforts.

Our first community garden has proven to be a blessing for many widows and others facing severe poverty who find their way to Hope Village. This widow is able to pick enough rape leaves to feed her 5 children a meal on this day.

We’ve also started a research project to track three patient groups that consume two plant-based medicines called moringa and neem: 

• Malnourished children and adults
•  People with chronic cases of malaria
• Adults and children with HIV

This malnourished 6-month old baby is now receiving moringa from our clinic.

In addition to all of this, we’ll grow our own medicinal plants to use in our clinic.  Thankfully, we have a great staff to help with these projects.  And what is making it all possible is our trust in the Lord.  We have seen His hand at work here at Hope Village.  And we’ve seen Christ’s compassion living in those who have helped financially and with prayer, to make this all possible.  I’m daily in awe of our God, as I observe how he ministers through and to people; especially the least of these.

(If you'd like to make a donation to assist with our organics 4 orphans farming practices, our community gardens, or our plant-based medicinal programs, you can donate online by clicking on this page: http://www.hopeforthenations.com/champion/champion.aspx?asset=2591).