Mary Wambui, a dedicated farmer and secretary at the Kaki Community Garden in Mutitu, Kirinyaga County, has transformed her family’s life through agroecology. As a mother of four children, Mary faced a critical situation when doctors recommended chemical-free food for her ailing husband. Determined to find a solution, she joined the Kaki Community Garden, decision that would change everything.
At the heart of the Kaki Community Garden, Mary actively applied the knowledge she gained from the community to her own family garden. Her efforts bore fruit, quite literally. Today, her once modest plot thrives with a diverse crop, including different banana varieties, Amaranthus, spider plant, crotalaria, black nightshade, chilis,onions agroforestry trees such as coffee and fruit trees.
Mary’s success story is a testament to the impact of Slow Food Kenya. She expresses her gratitude, saying, “I really want to thank Slow Food Kenya for the good work they have done to ensure farmers at the grassroots level have access to healthy food produced sustainably, without harmful chemicals.” Her family now relies entirely on their chemical-free garden for nourishment, and Mary even sells surplus produce at the Slow Food Earth market in Kagio.
Mary exemplifies how the Slow Food Gardens project empowers communities and families to consume good, clean, and fair food. The Kaki Community Garden, part of the Slow Food Gardens in Africa initiative, promotes agrobiodiversity conservation through its community garden and community seed bank. Mary’s journey is a sign of hope, demonstrating that sustainable farming practices can lead to healthier lives and stronger communities.
