As a Behavior Change Communicator my work focuses HIV/AIDS and Life Skills education to promote a better quality of life with improved self-reliance for Deaf youth and adults.  My post is a secondary vocational school for Deaf girls in Western Kenya. The unfortunate truth is that many of the students leave school with few or no opportunities for gainful employment. In addition, the Deaf in Kenya are widely excluded from incidental learning in the homes since few parents of Deaf children learn to communicate beyond basic commands and village signs. As a result, Deaf adults face many challenges, among them food security and knowledge of basic nutrition.

My love of gardening and interest in nutrition compelled me to start a small school garden with interested students. Club activities include the selection of cultivars, bed preparation, planting, and maintenance. Once produce is harvested, students will receive instruction food preparation with emphasis on maximizing nutrition. The aim of the club is to encourage small-scale food production, income generation and self-reliance, as well as increase knowledge of basic nutrition.