{"id":11289,"date":"2016-12-17T14:38:31","date_gmt":"2016-12-17T13:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wecare-association.com\/farm-in-africa-acacia-camp\/"},"modified":"2025-07-16T11:12:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T09:12:04","slug":"farm-in-africa-acacia-camp","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wecare-association.com\/en\/kenya-completed-projects\/farm-in-africa-acacia-camp\/","title":{"rendered":"Farm in Africa – Acacia Camp"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Acacia Camp – An Agricultural Project for Self-Determination<\/strong><\/h2>

One of the main goals of the WeCare-Association is to prevent the Maasai from migrating to the slums of Nairobi. In order for them to remain in their tribal area, they need secure livelihoods – the construction of a borehole was a first step, but more is needed in the long term: education, prospects and economic independence<\/strong>. <\/p>

The idea of a Maasai farm<\/strong> is based on the traditional knowledge of the Maasai as shepherds. In addition to livestock farming, arable farming and dairy farming were also integrated into the project. A student from the University of Bologna accompanied the implementation as part of his dissertation. <\/p>

Project start and structure<\/strong><\/p>

The Maasai provided 18 hectares of land<\/strong> for the project. In December 2016<\/strong>, soil samples were taken and analyzed in Bologna to determine suitable maize varieties. Work began on site on July 20, 2017<\/strong>: Ten men cleared the land, later assisted by an excavator. Within a few days, the construction of the barn and guard hut and the fencing of the terrain began. <\/p>

There was a huge response: 43 men wanted to work with us, but only ten could be hired permanently.<\/p>

Dairy farming & aloe vera<\/strong><\/p>

On August 20, 2017<\/strong>, 500 aloe vera plants were planted – with the aim of later producing care products. Shortly afterwards, project manager Giorgio Girella<\/strong> bought 20 Holstein dairy cows<\/strong>, two of which were pregnant, from the traditional Gogar Farm in the Rift Valley. They arrived at Acacia Camp on 8 September<\/strong> – the same day they were milked for the first time: 40 liters of fresh milk<\/strong>, sold in Kajiado for around 70 centimes per liter. <\/p>

The sale financed the wages of the seven farm workers. The very next day, many people were standing in front of the barn with plastic containers – the milk was bought directly from the farm. <\/p>

Growth & challenges<\/strong><\/p>

Vegetables were sown for the first time in fall 2017. Milk production increased, as did demand – people from neighboring villages also came to buy. The first calf was born in November<\/strong>, followed by another in March 2018<\/strong>. Despite setbacks (one cow fell victim to hyenas, two died of illness), the farm has established itself. <\/p>

Today, the 17 remaining cows produce 15 to 20 liters of milk per day<\/strong>. Ten men<\/strong> earn their wages on the farm, while the chicken coop<\/strong> provides regular work for three young women – they were provided with 100 hens and later 50 chicks. Eggs have also been sold since February 2018<\/strong>. <\/p>

Four greenhouses for vegetables were built. Tomatoes, corn and other vegetables now grow on the site. <\/p>

A place of hope<\/strong><\/p>

In July 2018<\/strong>, the WeCare-Association team visited the camp: people from the surrounding area stood in long queues in the mornings and evenings to buy fresh milk. There was great joy – at what has been created with joint effort.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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