Location: KENYA
Beneficiaries: Women and girls in Bomet County
Environmental conservation, food security, and women’s empowerment in a single transformative initiative. The “Empowering Women for Climate Resilience with Sustainable Homesteads” project, spearheaded by Daniel Ruto and the Safina Development Organization, is proving that even with limited resources, strategic community involvement can lead to profound change. Through skill-building, sustainable agriculture, and innovative social enterprise, this initiative is shaping a new future for local women, equipping them with the tools to combat climate change and food insecurity.
The Project
The Sustainable Homesteads Initiative was executed over a three-month period in Bomet County, focusing on the creation of a demonstration center and training program for women and girls. Given the constraints of time and resources, the project was designed to maximize impact through a “train-the-trainer” model, ensuring knowledge would be disseminated beyond the initial group of participants.
In the first month, the team concentrated on preparation—assembling trainers, refining project objectives, and selecting women leaders within the community who were best suited for training. With the collaboration of local leaders and the office of the chief, they identified and trained 200 women to serve as ambassadors for the initiative. These ambassadors would, in turn, pass on their skills to other community members, fostering a ripple effect of knowledge and empowerment.
Despite financial limitations, the project successfully planted the seeds for long-term resilience, empowering women to take charge of their communities’ food security and environmental stewardship.
The Impact of the Seed Grant
The grant from The Pollination Project (TPP) was a game-changer, providing the much-needed initial funding to bring the Sustainable Homesteads Initiative to life. With this support, the project was able to establish a fully functional solar-powered demonstration center and indigenous seed bank, serving as the nerve center of training and knowledge dissemination.
Key milestones achieved within the project included:
- Training 30 women ambassadors in seed saving, propagation, and leadership.
- Establishing a solar-powered Demonstration Center and an indigenous seed bank.
- Partnering with local organizations and stakeholders to enhance project sustainability.
- Initiating continuous propagation of fruit trees to support a social enterprise model.
Beyond infrastructure, the grant catalyzed the development of a budding social enterprise, allowing for the propagation and distribution of fruit tree seedlings. These seedlings not only contribute to reforestation efforts but also serve as an income-generating opportunity for the trained women ambassadors, reinforcing the project’s commitment to long-term sustainability.
Ultimately, The Pollination Project grant transformed a visionary idea into a tangible reality, setting the foundation for continued expansion and deeper community engagement. It empowered women to become change agents in their communities, ensuring that food security and climate resilience were no longer distant goals, but achievable aspirations.
The Future
With the foundation set, the future of the Sustainable Homesteads Initiative is focused on expansion, sustainability, and technological integration.
The first priority is to scale up training programs, reaching even more women and community members. By leveraging the existing network of trained ambassadors, the initiative aims to create an ever-expanding web of knowledge and skill-sharing. To further support food security, the project will strengthen its social enterprise, making fruit tree seedlings more accessible at reduced prices while simultaneously providing economic opportunities for the women involved.
Leadership training for women and girls will continue to be a cornerstone of the initiative, ensuring that participants gain the confidence and skills to take on leadership roles in their communities. Additionally, digital literacy will be integrated into the program, equipping the center with computers and a projector to bridge the technological gap for rural communities.
Strategic partnerships will also play a critical role in the initiative’s future growth. Collaborations with organizations like Esri USA, which provides GIS tools for high-impact decision-making, will enable the project to identify priority areas for intervention, optimize resource allocation, and enhance overall effectiveness. A key figure in this collaboration is William Tarpai, a retired UN professional and GIS expert from California. Drawn to their project’s mission, he is leveraging his mapping skills to support gender equality initiatives and improve resource allocation. Additionally, his contributions extend to rural school support and library improvements, strengthening educational opportunities within the community.
Community engagement remains at the heart of the project, ensuring that the solutions implemented are both locally driven and sustainable. By fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and grassroots leadership, the initiative is poised to make lasting change in Bomet County and beyond.
This grant supported my vision of creating opportunities for marginalized groups to thrive and building a more equitable and sustainable future.
Daniel Ruto
In recognition of his impactful work in climate action and community empowerment, Daniel Ruto was honored with The Diana Legacy Award in October 2024. Considered the most prestigious accolade a young person can receive for social work, the award was presented by The Diana Award Nomination Center. This recognition highlights his dedication to combating climate change through the Sustainable Homesteads Initiative and other preliminary environmental and climate action projects under the Safina Development Organization.
His contributions, which have been recognized globally by changemakers, have helped inspire and mobilize communities to adopt sustainable practices. The award celebrates his commitment to making a lasting difference in the fight against climate change and food insecurity.
Join The Pollination Project in seeding a global movement of grassroots change. When we invest in passionate local leaders, small acts of generosity blossom into lasting impact. Every dollar you give takes root in communities, growing into sustainable solutions that touch countless lives.
