Issue 10 Stories
Feature

Innovating for Generations

East Africa 

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PLANTING A NEW INCOME

Ruben Ngao was the first farmer in Arusha, Tanzania, to work alongside the ECHO team to provide his input on the innovation of the Maresha planter. Developed over four years with local farmer feedback and support, it is now being produced by a local manufacturer in Tanzania. Ruben has become the most competent user of the planter, selling his services to quickly and accurately sow the fields of his neighbors — more than 11 acres of land this year — to earn an income. He is excited about the potential of the planter and is proud of his long-term inputs to the development of the improved tool. Across the region, acceptance of the planter is high and demand continues to grow. Based on demand, the East Africa Team is working to improve access to the Maresha planter across the region.

PERENNIAL VEGETABLES FOR HEALTH

Anemia and poor nutrition are an incredible challenge across East Africa. To combat this, the East Africa training team has focused specifically on health centers, equipping more than 2,000 individuals this year alone! Patients and their caretakers learn about the benefits and flavors of these nutritious leaves, Innovating for Generations and are given cuttings and seeds to multiply and share at home.

ROCKET STOVES

A rocket stove trainee named Gerryson was so inspired by the easy-to-produce rocket stove, he identified himself as a leader who would take the knowledge forward. “A few days after I received the training, I constructed my two rocket stoves as you can see,” Gerryson said while pointing to his stoves which he named ‘double burner’. Because of ECHO’s training, Gerryson is able to provide low-smoke, fuelefficient stoves for others, especially older women in his village for less than five dollars each. Gerryson represents at least 150 farmers in five communities who have benefited from the rocket stove trainings this year.

“I like the rocket stove because it cooks quickly, uses less firewood, it is cheap, easy to construct and maintain and it is safe for my little grandchildren. Additionally I see it is better for the environment.“
— Mrs. Salome Charles

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION

In partnership with 24 secondary schools in Tanzania, ECHO has trained thousands of future farmers in sustainable, creative ways to improve their nutrition and family livelihoods. Head Teacher at Orkeeswa Secondary School , Hosea Issaya shared, “We thank ECHO East Africa for providing us with these practices that have enabled us to harvest rainwater and produce nutritious perennial vegetables. Our food security has increased and the consumption of nutritious food at the school has been sustained for the past three years. Several students have taken these perennial vegetables to their homesteads.”

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