Bringing Farming Back
Young Farmers Club was the brainchild of 5 teachers of Ruben Primary School way back in 2010. Teacher Grace was one of the pioneers and she is still keen on the impact of the club. Initially started out of passion for farming and agriculture, the vision to incorporate the students of Ruben Primary School came later as sustainability strategy. It is not uncommon to hear the words “agriculture is the backbone of our economy” amongst Kenyans and indeed an agriculture-based activity was inevitable at the Ruben Centre.
Blessing is an 11-year-old grade 6 student who wants to be a doctor when she’s all grown up. She hails from the fertile land of Embu but resides in Mukuru kwa Reuben with her folks. Once in a while, she accompanies her father as he travels upcountry to see their shamba. She says such moments are what she what lives for. With her small enough jembe, she follows her father around as he tills the land. She loves crop farming.
Sammy is a 13-year-old grade 7 student who wants to be a farmer. He sees the doubt in my eyes when he tells me that and asks me to ask his class teacher or anyone who knows him well. He is obsessed with farming. He joined the Young Farmers Club aged 9 and has never looked back. He lives in kwa Reuben with his parents and an elder brother. At the end of each school, he dashes back home to water the kales and tomatoes he has planted in container gardens.
Brighton is in the same class as Sammy. He is currently saving up for 5 chicks to rear them at home, here in kwa Reuben. He says once he gets US $30, he will buy the chicks then look for some wood and make a coop for the chicks. During class breaks, you will find Brighton in the coop feeding the chicks or helping them get vaccinated. By just one look at a chicken, he can diagnose what its ailing from. He wants to be an “animal doctor”, a veterinary, when he grows up.
If you asked Teacher Grace 12 years ago if she would be having a group of mini-vets and farmers running around Ruben Primary School, she would think one is pulling her leg. She is a proud teacher as her achievements with the club have surpassed her wildest dreams. She has countless former students, some of whom didn’t go past primary school, but have tracks of farm land doing agri-business. The exposure the children get as well while attending agriculture trade fairs and exhibitions are worth a mention.
It is such testimonies that make Ruben Centre an oasis. We encourage donors and partners to join and make more school-going children of Ruben Primary School fulfill their passion in farming.
By: GB
