It is important for them to learn about the value of growing their own food, as it helps ensure you maintain a balanced diet. In addition, some people traditionally feel this is an unsavory responsibility for a Maasai because the Maasai are traditionally pastoralist (raising livestock for food).

Here is what some of our sixth graders, Emmaculate and Naomi, have to say about the task:
"It is important to know how to grow your own food, but the part we dislike is slashing grass."
(Slashing grass is done to clear the area so that crops can be planted.)

"Working in the garden helps us learn with our hands...about agriculture and how crops germinate"

In the garden at school we grow "sukuma wiki" (kale) because it is our favorite vegetable. We also grow pumpkins because they are sweet and are part of a balanced diet.

We also grow corn at school and sometimes we grow beans and local vegetables like "managu."