Written by CorpsAfrica/Kenya Volunteer Ms. Betty Mutua

As the months go by and I continue to engage with the community members, I have realized the importance of not just learning new things but also unlearning and relearning preconceived notions. The community has its unique way of doing things, rooted in generations of shared wisdom. With an open mind, I immersed myself in the local knowledge, understanding the practices of their agricultural methods. The community members generously shared their expertise, teaching me about the indigenous plants, weather patterns, and delicate balance of nature that sustain their way of life. I faced challenges as I recognized the need to unlearn certain practices that worked elsewhere. Inspired by the community’s commitment to sustainability, I saw an opportunity to learn and share my knowledge in return, making natural pesticides and foliar fertilizers from locally available resources in line with the CorpsAfrica ABCD and CLD models. This wasn’t a one-sided exchange; it became a collaborative effort to blend traditional wisdom with modern sustainable practices. With the community, we have experimented with concoctions using neem, garlic, and other indigenous plants to create natural pesticides. We have harnessed the power of compost, plant extracts, and organic matter to formulate foliar fertilizers that nurture crops without harming the environment. The process of creating these natural solutions became a communal experience. As the community and I worked side by side, a warm bond developed, and I am no longer the newcomer, as the smiles can tell!!