COMMUNITY RELATIONS

“In this modern day, when material goals and selfish aims dominate the scene of human effort, this high professional ideal of self-sacrifice and selfless devotion to serving one’s fellow men may appear too remote, it’s demands too severe. But man is not meant to live for himself alone. He exists with others and for others, and it is this sense of social consciousness which distinguishes him from other beings.” H.I.M Emperor Haile Selassie I.

Greetings of Love once again.

Volunteers at the Muranga Juvenile Home for young offenders, where we offer organic agriculture and art skills.

Ever since we have been here at Maragua farm, three years to be precise, the projection of our relations with the community has been nothing but remarkable. Intriguing even. You see, none of us was initially from around here. To say that the manner of our entrance, a ten-strong group of youthful males caused a stir would be a study in understatement.

Tree planting at the Home.

We had been offered this land, as community volunteers, to utilize for the common good of the many. The place had been laying fallow for the longest time. So we came in, strongly determined and pretty businesslike. We were not dressed in suits and ties either.

 Despite the initial suspicion from our collective hosts, we were not unduly worried. Our fortitude rested on divine guidance, the true intention of our hearts, as well as legal recognition through government registration.

Youth coming in to visit us...

The first link with this community was the innocent and adventurous children, who started visiting and found reason to keep coming back. Their parents were admittedly not keen, and there are lots of wild anecdotes on the ways they would strive to keep them away from us. As of today, the children have continued to appear at the farm in even larger populations, bringing their friends from further afield. What blessings!

...usually bringing goodies, in the ages old tradition of sharing.

Through this medium, the community members were inadvertently kept abreast with every aspect of our day to day runnings. Slowly, the ice started to thaw.

It happened naturally that we took time to first create something tangible on the farm, before we started our community outreach programs. Actions were bound to much more eloquent than words. However the daily interactions in the neighborhood, markets, and sharing of resources continued to bring us closer. Eventually, we started reaching out, especially to community institutions such as schools, hospitals, and public places to offer services and knowledge.

Volunteers teaching and learning in class

Today we have gained the trust of most people, from around and the wider community. They have embraced us and our ideas. This is not to say they have unreservedly ditched conventional farming and adopted organic agriculture which we espouse. They however do keep up with us, watching closely to see where we are going with what we do.

A tree planting session with the community.

The community has been a big support in terms of sustaining our arts. Currently it is considered neglectful for one not to own a pair of the sandals which we produce. Doors have been and continue to be opened for us in homes, community institutions, as well as in government facilities. Lots of visitors frequent the farm on a daily basis to learn and offer ideas. Exchange of original non-GMO seeds has been one of the highlights of these interactions.

Young youths helping out with sandal production.

It is a great joy, to be crowned sons and daughters of this community. Respect for all the people who had to bear with our initial ‘invasion’ and are now an added strength to our efforts. A special mention for the young ones who have graced us with their presence and continue to grow with us.

Sister Njoki weaving with some daughters from the community.

Thank you, dear readers for your unstinting appreciation. Arm in arm we march on…

MAY PEACE BE YOURS.