Learning Beyond the Classroom!

At ADS South Rift, we believe that some of the most impactful learning happens when communities step outside their own environments to witness success firsthand. Through the generous support of Help a Child Africa, the BometChild-Centred Community Development (CCCD) Project has consistently invested in learning and exchange visits, empowering project participants with practical knowledge, inspiration, and innovative ideas that are transforming livelihoods and strengthening community resilience.

Since 2024, the project has organized a series of exposure visits involving farmers, school Board of Management members, teachers, 4K Club learners, community volunteers, Self-Help Groups, parenting groups, persons with disabilities, youth groups, and project staff.

These visits have taken participants to successful learning sites including Berur Cooperative in Bomet, Cherobu Milk Cooperative in Kericho, climate-smart farming centres in Kitale, and the Busia CCCD Project, where thriving community structures and sustainable development models have been successfully implemented.

The exchange visits were designed to expose participants to practical, community-led solutions that improve household livelihoods and child wellbeing. They aimed to strengthen climate-smart agriculture, commercial farming, dairy production, cooperative development, positive parenting, disability inclusion, community leadership, child protection, and sustainable management of community groups.

Participants also learned how strong community structures, effective leadership, accountability systems, and local ownership contribute to lasting development.

Throughout the visits, participants observed practical best practices that can be replicated within the Bomet CCCD Project. Farmers gained hands-on knowledge in climate-smart agriculture, integrated farm planning, soil and water conservation, avocado and dairy production, fodder establishment, livestock management, value addition, and cooperative marketing.

School representatives learned improved orchard management, quality seedling production, record keeping, and learner involvement in agriculture. Community groups and volunteers strengthened their understanding of group governance, inclusive leadership, positive parenting, child protection, financial management, resource mobilization, and sustainability planning for long-term community development.

The learning experiences have already begun translating into action. Farmers are adopting improved farming technologies, diversifying their enterprises, strengthening dairy and avocado production, and embracing collective marketing through cooperatives. Schools have enhanced the management of their Hass avocado orchards while developing agricultural skills among learners.

Community groups are strengthening governance, improving savings and income-generating activities, promoting inclusion of vulnerable members, and taking greater ownership of local development initiatives.

Participants have also committed to cascading the knowledge gained to other community members, multiplying the impact far beyond those who attended the visits.

These exchange visits are expected to create lasting impacts by improving household incomes, enhancing food and nutrition security, increasing agricultural productivity, strengthening resilient livelihoods, promoting child wellbeing, and building self-reliant communities capable of sustaining development long after project support ends.

By learning from proven success stories and adapting them to their local context, project participants are becoming promoters for positive change within their own communities.

Through continuous investment in learning and peer-to-peer exchange, ADS South Rift and Help a Child Africa are demonstrating that empowering communities with practical knowledge is one of the most effective pathways to sustainable development, creating confident farmers, stronger institutions, thriving households, and brighter futures for children across Bomet County.