This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
July 10, 2020
Kibera, one of the world's largest slums, is home to over a million people and a third of Nairobi's population. The area is plagued by overcrowding, poor sanitation, and high unemployment rates, with many residents struggling to make ends meet.
However, amidst the challenges, a glimmer of hope has emerged in the form of Kibera Organic Gardens, a community-led initiative that aims to reclaim garbage dumps and turn them into thriving organic farms.
Victor Edalia, 30, is the co-founder and driving force behind the project, which began in November 2019. With a team of eight young people, Edalia has been working tirelessly to transform a former garbage dump into a lush green oasis.
"As a group of young people, we saw the need to reclaim illegal dumping sites that had become toxic to our environment," Edalia explains. "Our aim is to make Kibera slum beautiful by turning it green and at the same time, needy families benefit from our project."
The project has already made a significant impact, providing free weekly supplies of fresh vegetables to at least ten needy families in the densely populated Kibera slums. The vegetables, grown using hydroponic farming methods, include spinach, kales, and other organic produce.
One of the beneficiaries of the project is Jackline Achieng, 31, who lost her job as an electronic sales assistant during the pandemic. With two siblings to care for and a chronic illness, Achieng was struggling to make ends meet until Edalia's garden came to her rescue.
"I am sickly, fighting sickle cell and my immunity is very low, so also I avoid exposing myself more so with this pandemic," Achieng says. "Though I do millennial jobs to fend for my family, Victor came to my rescue and because of him, I get vegetable supplies."
Edalia's passion for large-scale farming was sparked by his childhood in Kibera, where he saw the potential for growth and development in the area. Despite the challenges of space and resources, Edalia remains committed to his vision of transforming Kibera into a thriving agricultural hub.
