“Can sustainable farming transform a community facing climate change?”
On August 20th, 2022, Make Me Smile launched a permaculture workshop in Oloropi Village, Kajiado County, teaching local farmers, youth, and elders how to work with nature rather than against it, as trainer Samuel Ayoo emphasized. The region faces prolonged droughts, occasional floods, and growing food insecurity, which threaten the Maasai community’s livelihoods, largely dependent on pastoralism and small-scale farming.
This hands-on training introduced essential topics like water conservation, soil health, organic farming, and agroforestry. These techniques offer a lifeline, boosting food security, enhancing soil fertility, and improving agricultural productivity.
The following day, Make Me Smile, in partnership with TeSS Network, took action to further support the community by providing tree seedlings and joining locals in a tree-planting exercise. The trees, chosen for their ability to thrive in arid conditions, will play a critical role in fighting desertification, restoring the environment, and promoting biodiversity.
This ongoing collaboration between Make Me Smile and the Oloropi community shows the power of collective action in combating climate change. Regular visits are planned to continue supporting the community’s efforts to build resilience, secure their food supply, and protect their environment for future generations.
Make Me Smile remains committed to empowering communities in Kajiado through sustainable agricultural practices and reforestation, offering hope in the face of a changing climate.
