Kenneth Odhiambo Ndonga is on a mission to bring veganic growing and plant-based living to his hometown of Sondu, Kenya. And he’s looking for collaborators to bring this advocacy to the next level!
Market Farming
A long-time farmer, Kenneth grew up in rural Kenya and has been growing food since he was a child. He previously farmed using manure, though after transitioning to a vegan diet he decided to convert his farm to veganic techniques in 2022. He now fertilizes using plant materials like compost, mulch, and seaweed. On his two-acre farm, he grows veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and seeds to provide his family with a nutritious diet. He also runs a vegan market shop where he sells fresh produce to the local community.
Creating a Support Centre
Beyond farming veganically, Kenneth launched the Sondu Vegan Support Centre Group in 2019 to help fellow citizens transition to a plant-based diet and grow their own nutritious food at home. The centre includes a library, healthy cooking classes, and veganic gardening support. As the first vegan activist
in his community, he noticed that veganism was initially met with skepticism and even disapproval. Things began to change when people saw results. His vegan support centre has a strong focus on helping people improve their health. After some citizens experienced positive changes, local doctors started recommending that their patients join Kenneth’s group, which now has 35 active members. Kenneth started his own vegan journey for health reasons, then became an advocate for animal rights and veganic farming in the process.
Seeking International Collaborators
Kenneth is hoping to collaborate with international volunteers who can help support his mission. One of the best ways someone can volunteer from abroad is to help with grant writing and fundraising, as even
small grants can go along way. Kenneth would like to provide seeds to aspiring gardeners in his community, as well as offer more cooking classes and workshops to adults and children. He also hopes to buy machines to make products like corn flour and avocado oil to empower his community economically through veganic farming projects. Another great way to help is organizing international book drives of veganic and vegan literature to bring information to a community that has few veg resources and little internet access. Kenneth is also eager to have volunteers visit Kenya and help in person, whether directly on the farm or participating in community workshops. Interested in learning more and lending a hand?You can contact SonduVegan@gmail.com to reach out to Kenneth directly. It’s a great opportunity to make a big difference in a burgeoning plant-based movement. Kenneth also welcomes messages from well-wishers, international activists, and new veg friends!
Article written by:Meghan Kelly. Meghan Kelly co-founded the Veganic Agriculture Network (goveganic.net) and teaches the Learn Veganic online gardening course (learnveganic.com).