Shamba Darasa: Cultivating sustainability and community at AKES, Tanzania
At the Aga Khan Education Service, Tanzania, climate education reaches far beyond the classroom walls. A prime example of this is the Shamba Darasa project, a vibrant initiative blending science education with hands-on agricultural practices to foster a culture of sustainability and community engagement.
The project was inspired by the
Aga Khan Foundation's Green Champions initiative, which connects farmers with local youth who are trained to teach them about sustainable farming practices and other farming-related topics. This initiative was introduced to the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA) curriculum students during a
field trip to Morogoro in July 2024, along with the principles of organic planting and sustainable agriculture. The visit planted an idea in the students’ minds: Why not create a garden at our school?
What began as a simple question blossomed into Shamba Darasa – or “classroom garden” – a collaborative effort supported by students, parents and staff at the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam. Chemistry and physical education teachers partnered with Form 1 NECTA students to embed agricultural science into the school’s curriculum and extracurricular activities. For example, in the students’ chemistry classes, every class now has a unit that connects directly to the Shamba Darasa, where students learn about sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, as part of the students’ extracurricular portfolio, the Shamba Darasa club was formed, bringing together students to manage and nurture the garden.
Through a collective effort, the students developed a structured planting routine to maintain the Shamba Darasa. This was done with the support of their teachers, who guided them on planting techniques and seed selection, which included cabbage to onion, collard greens and amaranth.
“I feel privileged to lead a team that plants the seeds of change and nurtures them daily through our actions and choices,” said Ahmed M. Nyenga, the chemistry teacher who initiated the project with his students.
The garden, located within the
existing micro-forest at the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam, has become more than a science project, but a living classroom. Students have gained practical knowledge about soil chemistry, plant biology and sustainable farming. The process has also instilled confidence and teamwork among the participants.
“When we began, my students were unsure and, to be honest, so was I,” Mr Nyenga admitted. “But seeing their growth and collaboration has shown me how impactful this work can be.”
However, the knowledge gained from the project benefitted both students and teachers. Mr Chriss Magala, a physical education teacher, was also keen on learning along with his colleague: “It was my first time growing vegetables! Mr Nyenga taught me so much and now I feel confident I could go anywhere and plant more.”
The project’s success culminated in a harvesting ceremony that took place in December, where the vegetables grown in the Shamba Darasa were shared with the community. The event brought together students, parents, staff and local residents, including the school’s cleaners who contributed to the garden. Following this, the Aga Khan Education Service, Tanzania is exploring partnerships with external organisations to facilitate the distribution of the garden’s produce.
Shamba Darasa is more than a garden; it is a model of community-driven learning and sustainable development for the entire school community. By integrating science with environmental stewardship, the project demonstrates how schools can inspire students to take active roles in shaping a greener future.
Photos (top to bottom):
- NECTA students at the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam tend to the Shamba Darasa using what they learnt from their classrooms and the Aga Khan Foundation's Green Champions initiative.
- With the support of their teachers, students learnt various planting techniques.
- Different plants were planted in the Shamba Darasa, including onions, cabbage and more.
- The success of the Shamba Darasa resulted in a harvesting ceremony, with the produce being shared with the school community.
