Growing Food, Opportunity, and Hope: Gatune Farm & Huruma Children’s Home Updates
Since December 2023, Gatune Farm in Ngong, Kenya, has been a beacon of growth, not only in acres cultivated but in lives transformed. With five acres of land under cultivation and an efficient irrigation system in place, the farm has been providing fresh vegetables to 450 students at Huruma Children’s Home since August 2024.
Exciting things are happening at Gatune Farm in Ngong, Kenya, made possible by your incredible support. From feeding students to transforming lives and landscapes, here’s a glimpse into the progress:
Transformative Infrastructure Updates
This year, we’ve made significant strides in building the foundation for long-term impact:
On-site water is now available, and electricity is on the way!
A Kenyan agency is planting hundreds of fruit trees around the farm to serve as both a natural barrier and a nutrition source for students.
A $7,000 disbursement has kickstarted the educational building project, making the classroom fully functional with essential features such as desks, chairs, internet, laptops, and a projector. This classroom will be a vital resource for 17 Huruma high school graduates in their one-year paid internship at Gatune Farm.
What’s Next?
We’re halfway to our goal of raising $17,500 the education phase, to complete the educational building’s classroom infrastructure and supplies. Following that, we’ll launch a $19,500 agriculture fundraiser to bring:
Drip irrigation systems
A greenhouse
Farming equipment
Support for a full-time farm manager
Looking Forward
The goal is clear: to create a hub where students can learn, grow, and thrive, all while fostering sustainable agriculture.
Your support is turning Gatune Farm into more than just a farm—it’s a place where food, education, and hope flourish. Thank you for being part of this journey! Together, we’re transforming lives and building brighter futures.
Let’s keep growing! Support the next phase of Gatune’s development and be part of this exciting transformation. 🌱
““The Gatune project is transforming lives by providing nutritious meals to over 400 children from its produce, ensuring their well-being and fostering a healthier, brighter community.”
Huruma Children's Home Protein & Composting
In 2012, FMFM helped with funding supplies for gardens at Huruma Childrens Home.
Huruma Children's Home is an orphanage located in the Olkeri Village, near Ngong Town in Kenya. This is, unfortunately, an area of the world where poverty, poor health, HIV/AIDS and massive unemployment are major challenges for citizens - with many children orphaned at young ages, or families that do not have the means to provide and care for them. At Huruma, they care for more than 150 orphaned children ranging from newborn to 18 years of age - providing them with shelter, food and an education. Additionally, they provide an education for 100+ additional children from the local village - which includes a much-needed meal during the day that they otherwise may not receive.
Keeping this many mouths fed on a daily basis is costly. To manage these costs, the children's diets are mostly starch-based, with very little protein or other micronutrients. As a result, the children can have higher rates of malnutrition; stunted physical and cognitive growth; and/or experience reduced energy, immunity and concentration.
our role
With the help of many generous donors and volunteers, we raised more than $4,000 to assist with our project. A group of seven self-funded volunteers traveled to Ngong, Kenya in November 2012 and accomplished the following:
- Purchased 100 chickens to provide eggs and increase Huruma's protein sources
- Built a compost bin and helped the leaders at Huruma to understand how it’ll improve their soil for growing vegetables
- Donated laptops and jump drives to children's University students
- Traveled to Nacchu, the 5-acre lot that was recently gifted to Hurma, and scoped it out for future projects and learned about Mama Zipporah’s vision for the land
- Shared and explained a report on their current soil
the outcome
FMFM knew that with small changes, like introducing protein and vegetables into the children's starch-rich diet, we could make a dramatic effect on cognition and behavior.
We helped Huruma "feed mouths" by providing the means for a more balanced diet; and "fill minds" by providing computers that would enable and further learning.
““I was so impressed by the progress that Mama Zipporah has made since my last trip to Huruma. The garden, greenhouse, use of methane gasses, and the boys new dorm blew me away. Most of all the happiness and joy that I saw in the children inspires me to be a better person and to be more appreciative of the many blessings in my life.”
“I was very impressed by the warmth and hospitality from all the children and staff. The spirit of Huruma is very strong and Mama Zipporah’s vision and energy for all the children is amazing.”
