Common Ground Project


The Common Ground Project (CGP) in Kitale, Kenya, is a non-profit organization that offers micro loan programs for the poor. This year, CGP began a project which involves relief efforts and food security training for farmers in 21 villages within the Rift Valley. The farmers were GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Sustainable Mini-Farming agriculture methods, such as how to utilize composting, companion crops, crop rotation, and double digging techniques.

“Even with post-election violence, CGP was able to continue with its proposed project activities,” writes founder Joshua Machinga. “The prices of staple foods like rice and wheat rose dramatically during the first four months of the year, triggering what the UN calls a ‘silent tsunami,’ and driving more than half of the population deeper into poverty.”

Machinga continues by thanking Amistad International for its support. The trained families were able to generate good income from the sales of the farm produce, due to the high price of most commodities.

“While [others] were running for their dear lives, the trained farmers were busy working on their farms,” he says.

Bilia Wekesa, a small-scale farmer in Nakwangwa, writes, “The CGP has given a brighter day to our community. The majority of people in our village are now able to produce enough food for their household’s use. I no longer have to worry about having enough food to feed my children. We thank you for improving our ability to care for ourselves and our children.” Amistad is especially grateful to Kee Flynn who provided the funds for the agriculture classes for farmers in the Common Ground Program.

—By Heidi Brenner Hayatgheyb