In Kilifi, countless children face an unimaginable challenge: missing out on school because they don’t have enough to eat. Alongside The LEAF, Star Seed believes no child should be denied an education due to hunger, and we’re taking real steps to change that.

Our fruit forest mission started with a bold idea, helping school communities grow their own food while raising environmental awareness. By planting fruit forests, we are not only tackling food insecurity today but also laying the groundwork for regenerative futures.

Last year, we planted a variety of fruit trees—paw paws, passions, guavas, mangoes, and custard apples—in 12 schools across Kilifi, with tremendous support from our local team and the schools' education officers.

The results have been nothing short of inspiring. At Maereni Primary School in the Kaya Chonyi area, the paw paws have already begun fruiting, and the passion fruit vines are spreading beautifully. These thriving fruit trees are transforming schoolyards into vibrant orchards, bringing joy to students and teachers alike.

At Vwevwesi Primary, our mango trees are defying the odds, flourishing in poor-quality soil. Similarly, pawpaw trees are thriving at Kilifi, Kibaoni, and Gede primary schools, proving that even in dry, challenging conditions, our efforts can make a real difference.

But that’s not all. We've introduced kitchen gardens in several schools, and fruit tree propagation training has been provided to education officers to ensure long-term sustainability. Thanks to these initiatives, over 10,000 students have gained vital environmental education in the past year—knowledge that will serve them and their communities for years to come.

However, we still face challenges. Schools in town areas are struggling due to limited space and water shortages. But we’re already identifying solutions, such as providing larger seedlings for better survival rates and establishing fruit nurseries within schools. These nurseries will not only nurture future trees but also help prevent theft and create a self-sustaining system for students, teachers, and their families.

Together, with the support of amazing partners like Star Seed Naturals, we are planting seeds of change, ensuring that no child goes hungry or misses school because of a lack of food. The transformation has already begun—watch as it continues to grow!