KENYA: INVASIVE FOOD RESOURCE PROGRAM

In October of 2022 members of the HASAN field Team visited Kenya's Rift Valley to interview families who have been displaced by climate change. The Kwa Ndege IDP (Internally Displaced Peoples) Camp is home to over 100 families who have been forced to leave their homes due to rising water levels. The HASAN team took a survey of edible plants growing in the area surrounding the camp. After identifying and sampling the invasive nopal cacti, our team performed a day long workshop on how to utilize the cactus as a survival food.  The program included a complete in person tutorial on how to forage, clean, and cook the nopal cactus pads.  During a post workshop dialogue, camp members discussed other ways to cook and season the plant.