Madeline Eisner just returned from Kenya where she shares a second home with her Kenyan husband She visited Sammy Noe, former ICT Deputy Director on his farm. “I was astonished to see just how much Sammy has accomplished and how happy he is with a completely new and challenging job.”
(Kajiado, Kenya)---Most thought that the switch from ICT senior manager to first-time farmer was an indication that Sammy Njoe hadn’t lost his sense of humor. Poking fun, his friends said, after so many years dealing with urgent tech emergencies.
But, in a year’s time – for those who have watched from close and afar – Sammy has managed on a two and half acre plot to grow a kaleidoscope of fruits and vegetables, ranging from deep purple onions
to the greenest of peppers and hot pink watermelons.
Ever reminded of the lessons learnt during his time with UNICEF, he says he has been careful to use his piloting knowledge before going big and to scale!
At the perimeter stands a 48,000- liter water tower – run by a combination of solar and electric – that feeds the neatly organized rows of vegetables. But in a country that has been devastated by a punishing drought, the water tower is also Sammy’s promise to himself that the plot would ultimately stand for more than a thriving business.
“See that water tower,” he says as he proudly points to the edge of the plot. “It not only nourishes the earth, but there is more than enough for the surrounding Maasai community.” Carrying jerry cans and used oil containers, Maasai families often trek kilometers by foot or arrive by donkey cart to take advantage of water that Sammy freely provides.
That engagement with the community comes with great benefits as well, which Sammy clearly recognizes. Helpful advice and expertise have been easily forthcoming from neighbors, and the friendship with the surrounding community also provides an additional shield of welcome protective security.
This coming year, Sammy has already scheduled the projects he expects to complete. Energized by the objectives he has set in mind and on paper, he rises well before 6 in the morning and travels to work by pick-up truck in place of the New York City bus system.
Sammy, who worked in the private sector following university, began his career as an ICT consultant with UNICEF in 1994 and subsequently became a staff member in 1999, when he was appointed as ICT officer in UNICEF Bangladesh. Following an illustrious 23- year professional career developing and transforming ICT in countries and regions throughout the world, Sammy decided to retire following his last five-year posting as Deputy Director in the ICT Division in NYHQ.
What Sammy recognized during those last years pre-retirement was that the skill set that he had acquired during his long career with UNICEF combined with his earlier private sector experience could be put to good use – to actively contribute to his community and give back through activities he would pursue.
That journey of conceptualization actually began years earlier when he procured a 2.5 acre farm while still working at UNICEF. Ideas slowly developed and by the time he left UNICEF in December 2021, he felt confident to hit the ground and rollout his plans to make his vision a reality.
Today, in the county of Kajiado in Kenya, Sammy is encouraging the Maasai community living nearby to engage in food production and farming as a viable option to livestock production and livelihood. He also mentors small groups of young people who are interested in the possibility of farming as a pillar to the country’s future and a way to open new opportunities to develop a sustainable agri economy.
At the same time, Sammy remains actively engaged in developing channels of distribution of produce from his farm to both local markets and organizations sourcing food products for their own clientele.
(Kajiado, Kenya)---Most thought that the switch from ICT senior manager to first-time farmer was an indication that Sammy Njoe hadn’t lost his sense of humor. Poking fun, his friends said, after so many years dealing with urgent tech emergencies.
But, in a year’s time – for those who have watched from close and afar – Sammy has managed on a two and half acre plot to grow a kaleidoscope of fruits and vegetables, ranging from deep purple onions
to the greenest of peppers and hot pink watermelons.
Ever reminded of the lessons learnt during his time with UNICEF, he says he has been careful to use his piloting knowledge before going big and to scale!
At the perimeter stands a 48,000- liter water tower – run by a combination of solar and electric – that feeds the neatly organized rows of vegetables. But in a country that has been devastated by a punishing drought, the water tower is also Sammy’s promise to himself that the plot would ultimately stand for more than a thriving business.
“See that water tower,” he says as he proudly points to the edge of the plot. “It not only nourishes the earth, but there is more than enough for the surrounding Maasai community.” Carrying jerry cans and used oil containers, Maasai families often trek kilometers by foot or arrive by donkey cart to take advantage of water that Sammy freely provides.
That engagement with the community comes with great benefits as well, which Sammy clearly recognizes. Helpful advice and expertise have been easily forthcoming from neighbors, and the friendship with the surrounding community also provides an additional shield of welcome protective security.
This coming year, Sammy has already scheduled the projects he expects to complete. Energized by the objectives he has set in mind and on paper, he rises well before 6 in the morning and travels to work by pick-up truck in place of the New York City bus system.
Sammy, who worked in the private sector following university, began his career as an ICT consultant with UNICEF in 1994 and subsequently became a staff member in 1999, when he was appointed as ICT officer in UNICEF Bangladesh. Following an illustrious 23- year professional career developing and transforming ICT in countries and regions throughout the world, Sammy decided to retire following his last five-year posting as Deputy Director in the ICT Division in NYHQ.
What Sammy recognized during those last years pre-retirement was that the skill set that he had acquired during his long career with UNICEF combined with his earlier private sector experience could be put to good use – to actively contribute to his community and give back through activities he would pursue.
That journey of conceptualization actually began years earlier when he procured a 2.5 acre farm while still working at UNICEF. Ideas slowly developed and by the time he left UNICEF in December 2021, he felt confident to hit the ground and rollout his plans to make his vision a reality.
Today, in the county of Kajiado in Kenya, Sammy is encouraging the Maasai community living nearby to engage in food production and farming as a viable option to livestock production and livelihood. He also mentors small groups of young people who are interested in the possibility of farming as a pillar to the country’s future and a way to open new opportunities to develop a sustainable agri economy.
At the same time, Sammy remains actively engaged in developing channels of distribution of produce from his farm to both local markets and organizations sourcing food products for their own clientele.
Way to go Sammy!
ReplyDeleteWill visit your farm one day…
Fantastic read and equally wonderful to see Sammy reinvent himself so well. The mutual learning from the community connection is heartening too. Thanks Madeline for the hood read. And great to see Sammy, who I had the pleasure to work with in EAPRO. Wivina
ReplyDeleteHongera sana, Sam!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations , dear Madeline, and thank you for informing us about this success story.
ReplyDeleteSpecial congratulations to Sammy, who is so actively involved in helping, supporting and teaching the sourounding communities.
I support since many years a community in Msumarini, ca. 50 km northern from Mombasa, where we trained craftsmen in the construction of solar cookers. The entire neighbouring communities are taking now advantage of solar cooking, solar baking and solar drying of fruits. This did create such an enthusiasm in the communities that many other positive developments took place, all children in Msumarini go to school.
Maybe we can establish a contact between the communities. Ute Deseniss-Gros
So luscious!
ReplyDeleteWonderful account!
ReplyDeleteDear Sammy,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful initiative and implemented so well.
You are making a difference for many people.
Congratulations!
Ronald van Dijk
Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSuper story, Madeline! Bravo to Sammy and to so many XUNICEFers who reinvented themselves after retirement.
ReplyDeleteHi Sammy, so good to read about your human story, so well told by Madeline. All the best.
ReplyDeleteHi Madeline,
ReplyDeleteWonderful read! Gulbadan