Ensuring Proper Sanitation for Schools and Infrastructure for Climate-Smart Farmer Training
Much of Haller’s work would not be possible without the continued support and guidance from our partners. We’ve worked with the Fondation Eagle for a number of years now, helping to deliver infrastructure and education to communities supported by Haller around Mombasa.
In 2023, Haller joined forces with long-time donors to channel efforts into two key projects: installing sanitation in the community-owned Munnawar primary school, and expanding the capacity of the Mtopanga demonstration farm.
At Munnawar Primary School, the lack of WASH facilities posed a challenge for sanitation and hygiene that was set to grow as the school took on more pupils.
Haller’s eco-loo is a proven method for encouraging hygiene best practices and improving overall community health. Designed for longevity, the loo uses UV light to sterilise odours, and also has roof guttering and a water tank to harvest and store rainwater for hand washing.
The eco-loo was built in just over a month, and the project’s completion was marked by the celebratory planting of 100 indigenous trees. With WASH infrastructure in place, Munnawar primary school can continue to expand and offer education opportunities.
The second key project focused on the Mtopanga demonstration plot. With 5 seasons of failed rains, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine, Kenyans are facing unprecedented prices for basic food items. Haller’s aim is to use the demonstration plot to help farmers maximise food production, even during periods of minimal rainfall.
The demonstration plot originally only comprised the 1000m square plot, representative of the average size of a local family shamba. With the support of the Eagle Foundation, Haller Kenya has not only been able to diversify and improve this plot, but also develop a 500m square plot to demonstrate the possibilities of growing food even in more confined urban areas.
At the 1000 m square plot, the Haller Kenya team focused on:
Water Harvesting: Installed guttering on every fixed structure to capture rainwater, and developed a 10,000 litre tank to store water
Sustainable Agriculture: Created new beds with a bottle irrigation system to be replicated in communities
Soil Improvement: Developed a new compost and agrichar improvement area, helping to train communities in maximising water retention and improving yields
Poultry Farming: Created poultry houses for indigenous chickens and guinea fowl, to provide breeding stock, and a route to getting more protein in community diets
Medicinal Plants: Established a medicinal plants section, encompassing turmeric, lemon grass, artemisia, aloe and more, to help demonstrate alternative treatments to pharmaceuticals which are frequently too expensive.
The new 500 m square plot is intended to demonstrate to urban farmers the potential to grow crops even in a small area, and encompasses:
Crop Diversity: Various beds featuring a range of g fast growing crops demonstrating the potential for productive agriculture in small areas.
Integrated Farming: Inclusion of chicken and fish ponds, showcasing the integration of different elements for sustainable farming practices.
Vertical Planting: Implementation of vertical beds to exemplify efficient planting in minimal space, emphasising the potential for vertical gardening.
Compost Management: A dedicated area for composting, highlighting the importance of organic waste recycling in urban farming.
High-Value crops: Beds featuring high value crops designed to supplement income, providing insights into profitable crop choices for urban agriculture.
Through the support of the Fondation Eagle, Haller was able to train over 900 farmers in 2023, many of whom will go on to train others in their communities. If you’re interested in supporting our work, or partnering with us on a specific project, get in touch.
