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Newsletter: Spring 2012

Women’s Ministry

REAP has had many opportunities to display work relating to women.

At a May exhibition in Kisumu, Domitilla displayed kitchens and molding, and was featured in the Daily Nation.

Last March Anne, Rosalia and Wilimina displayed at an international conference in Nairobi, related to climate change, where they were personally encouraged by the Prime Minister’s wife.

Following contacts made through the Kisumu Show, Rosalia has been teaching at a number of conferences in Kenya on the role of women in the church and their potential for bringing change.

Artemisia and Moringa

Rosalia and Geroge joined Keith Lindsey of Anamed at a Natural Medicines training event in Butere.  On a follow up visit in May, Roger was encouraged by the number of trainees who actively put their training into practice.

There have also been a growing stream of visitors through REAP’s Nairobi office, contact having been made via the internet. Particular interest has been shown in Moringa (for nutrition) and Artemisia (for malaria).  It has been encouraging that REAP is now able to supply planting materials form the Kajulu garden.

Fredah Wabuko, from Butere in Western Province, is one of the most active people REAP has trained.   She now both trains and treats people with natural medicines.

This picture shows how Fredah has made use of a small plot behind her house to grow a wide variety of natural medicines in a small area.

Kajulu Garden

REAP’s garden in Kajulu, near Kisumu, continues to attract visitors (from five of the six continents!)  In June thirty prison wardens visited, who hope to incorporate REAP teaching into the prisons!

The fish pond, in the lowest water-logged part of the garden, was stocked with 400 fingerlings in April.  This displays how fish can be inexpensive to keep and a valuable resource for poor farmers.

The Vetiver grass planted at the Kejulu garden has dramatically shown its value in protecting soil from erosion.  Up to two feet of soil have been collected above the grass hedges over eighteen months.

The nursery area for development of new useful plants is expanding.  REAP has been able to share planting material with some community based projects in the Asembo area.  We are now developing a strategy for disseminating new ideas.

PRAYER POINTS

  • Thanks for the many blessings of the Kajulu garden, which has become infinitely valuable to REAP’s work.  Also that Rosalia has eventually been able to obtain the physical Title deed for the land, having persisted through various barriers!
  • Prayer for sufficient finance to be able to continue with the work, and to meet additional demands for REAP’s teaching.
  • Praise that REAP’s teaching is reaching an increasing number of people who are both embracing it and passing it on.