Challenges facing grandchildren

In Kenya, many children are suffering from stunting and wasting. This affects their growth, cognitive development and overall health. The periodic drought and economic factors contribute to food security, making it difficult for Grandmothers to consistenly provide nutrious meals. This increased the risk of malnutrition among grandchildren.

While primary schools in Kenya are free, many children, especially those in rural areas, still face barriers to education, including school fees for secondary education, long distances to school and lack of basic facilities which results to high dropout rate. In Ahero, which is known for rice farming, children are forced to work to support their elderly families, which oftern results in missing out on education.

There are also common reported cases of child abuse and exploitation, child marriage and gender inequality, girls in particular, face higer levels of discrimination and violence. They may be denied access to education on healthcare due to traditional gender roles or cultural practices.

HIV/AIDS continues to affect many Kenyan families, which a significant number of children orphaned by the disease. Grandchildren living with HIV also face challenges in accessing proper care and treatmnet. Malaria and Waterborne diseases cause major risk due to inadequate access to clean water and sanitation. Despite the efforts to improve vaccination rates, some grandchildren, particularly in rural areas, still miss out in essential vaccinations, leaving them vulnarable to preventable diseases.

Early marriages and child pregnancies in rural areas are still on the rise contributing to school dropouts and health risks for both the young mothers and their children.

Limited access to basic needs, most of the grandhcildren are from low income families often lack access to adequate nutrition, healthcare, clean water and education. Poverty exacerbated their vulnerability to health issues, child labour and exploitation.

Current programs

One of our first objective is to improve nutritional status. The activities involve the support of nutrition education awareness campaings in schools and the estabilishment of networks, partnerships and consultative forums between the government and stakeholders on issues related to food and nutrition. It is also important for us to estabilish a community nutrition programs, to distribute micronutrient supplements and to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices.

Tree Nursery Program

Focus: Climate-Smart Practices, Nutrition & Fruit Tree Planting

We operates a local tree nursery program to empower elderly caregivers with knowledge and resources to support their families in a sustainable way. Through this program, grandmothers—many of whom are the sole caregivers for their grandchildren—are trained in climate-smart agriculture, nutrition education, and the planting and care of fruit trees.

By planting fruit trees such as mango, avocado, papaya, and guava, the program aims to:

Enhance household nutrition through access to fresh, vitamin-rich fruits

Promote climate resilience by increasing green cover and improving soil health

Offer a source of income through surplus fruit sales at local markets

Foster intergenerational knowledge sharing between elders and young children

The tree nursery not only supplies high-quality seedlings but also serves as a community learning hub, where grandmothers learn composting, mulching, and water conservation techniques. This program strengthens food security, improves livelihoods, and promotes environmental stewardship at the grassroots level.