In Kenya, An Inspiring Maasai Man Creates Change Through Permaculture

This is the story of an inspiring Maasai man who has brought positive change to his land and community through permaculture. Joseph Lentunyoi started a permaculture center in his dry, arid homeland of Laikipia County 7 years ago where he showcases sustainable food systems following permaculture design principles, land regeneration practices, and other simple solutions that can improve livelihoods (solar, biogas, natural building techniques, etc.). Laikipia Permaculture Center -- the organization he founded -- also helped create business opportunities for women, including making cosmetics from Aloe and many different products from a locally growing cactus.

[@kristilisakleiner9384]

What a lovely, progressive, intelligent man who is up lifting his community

[@GrowingSmall]

Thank you for commenting, absolutely agree, really inspiring example of how small solutions can have a big impact.

[@cashismyreligion6566]

I think I just found my way back home to kenya. Thank you.

[@trueyokefellow3576]

I did my PDC there...great memories and insight. The growth is beautiful. So glad my inputs there will forever remain...esp the cob bench area outside and a planted tree. 😊

[@GrowingSmall]

Wonderful memories!

[@fisshayemezgebu8858]

I am proud of how you doing from Eritrea living in Sewden.

[@Anita-ht8gw]

He is just wonderful. He Is living what I dream of doing and that I am preparing to do. If only the world had the same way of thinking as him, we would all be happy. Take care of nature and people. Turns problems into solution for all

[@GrowingSmall]

Thank you for your heartfelt comment, Anita! So many great and innovative solutions at Laikipia Permaculture Center and Joseph really tries his very best to take care of nature and people equally, I loved visiting him and I'm glad the video resonated with you. Much love 💚

[@marieslabbert6009]

Cannot agree with you more!

[@acinamatata6342]

How do you prepare?

[@phammond8155]

"we would all be happy" . . .yes, I think that is true. Back to the land . . . .so many of us yearn to do that . . . .we have videos like this to inspire us. Thank you.

[@ForageGardener]

What a spectacular video. I love the bird audio at the beginning. Really brings me there. I hope the folks of Kenya know how spectacular and appreciated they are by those of us in other countries seeing their work! Real pioneers leading the rest of us into the future.

[@GrowingSmall]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Still experimenting with editing videos in ways that makes people feel they've truly been there - good to hear that the beginning worked for you!

[@CorncropTv]

Something just so satisfying about seeing how recyclable things are, good stuff.

[@willm5814]

This so impressive, Kenya seems to have some amazing permaculture leaders! Love 💕 from Canada 🇨🇦!

[@KevinandRarin]

This gentleman is such an inspiration. Well done, Sir! Tubula Osotua lai!

[@GrowingSmall]

Thanks for taking the time to comment and show your appreciation for Joseph's great work.

[@shalomkind4575]

Proud of you ..osotua lang ..tonyuaa tukul ..mikitanayiana ENKAI ..

[@dggamer1930]

Living with nature surrounded with trees, plants and animals such a beautiful place with full of positive energy. I would wish to be like that. I appreciate this and would expect more videos, we should understand nature. We cannot see God, but can feel him by his creation.

[@316JOHNLT]

So true!

[@87697]

Awesome! I love the buildings and the paintings on them. It's amazing to see what you can do in such a hot climate

[@Gwen-joyful-light]

I am so, so, so excited for everyone who is living like this, the methane gas method is EXCELLENT!! :D

[@markdebcam]

Fantastic man, great content, thank you.

[@Mamajonaful]

I must visit this centre soon.

[@susanapollo284]

He knows so much about farming and plants. Very intelligent. Very good educative video. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Nitka022]

What an amazing man! We so need more like him! He created an amazing place for his community! They have plenty, live beautifully, produce so many things! And live so close with nature and for the nature! I am awe struck with those achievements! Thank you for sharing...xoxox

[@emancipatedlionm9215]

Very lovely impressive job! Allllllll natural beautiful. I am sooooooo thrilled. He seems to be enjoying the land n its produce. Wonderful!

[@wilsonkipaloi968]

This is wonderful! Keep it up. We need more of these initiatives

[@brucefraser159]

So good. Congratulations on this venture

[@GrowingSmall]

Thanks so much!

[@magicalphoenix4568]

How can I meet this man? I would love to learn from him

[@soinda87]

Way to go. Teach teach our people before it's too late.

[@GrowingSmall]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching and commenting :) I appreciate it.

[@albertayunda5521]

It's already too late

[@soinda87]

@@albertayunda5521 we can try 😢

[@Tamales21]

YOU CAN EAT THE CACTUS!!! THEIR CALLED NOPALES AND THEY ARE VERY NUTRITIONAL!!!! not a problem. Very much a solution.

[@Dtrain-kq8kd]

looking good, I am glad you are doing well...

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

This video was an absolute joy to watch! Such an organic and resourceful way of life we all can strive for! Thanks for sharing such an inspirational video!

[@GrowingSmall]

You are so welcome!

[@elpix]

Great project. The climate here in Guanajuato, central Mexico is similar to yours, and as a nascent farmer I thank you for the ideas you have that I can apply here.

[@59veronika]

If I could 'like' this video 1000 x, I would!!

[@mikelongwith6922]

I commend you your work is wonderful..

[@amirkamola600]

This guy is awesome he should be elected as laikipia governer he can change laikipia county.

[@mmotsenbocker]

in some ways, Africa is on the bleeding edge of changes needed for the Growing Small movement. I went to the DRC myself a few years ago to practice my nature based electric energy inventions and my Congo Africa experience helped me determine priorities for growing small . Lighting is number one, followed by cell phones and cooking. This is explained in my book.

[@nefertirilsm3406]

This was very inspiring and enlightening.

[@GrowingSmall]

Thank you!!

[@dr-k1667]

Why isn't the UN promoting and fund these programs to spread like wildfire across Africa so that they can be energy and food reliant? The World Bank and WHO would get their money back in less than one generation. These are the programs and centers that need just a little bit of exposure and support to go incredible worth that would bring STABILTIY AND PEACE to war torn parts of Africa. I hope someone in a govt. position, village or country where they need hope sees this. This works and can and is healing the land, the people and the animals. Thanks for sharing this encourages me greatly.

[@GrowingSmall]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. It's somewhat puzzling, I agree, that the big donors are not embracing and funding these kind of initiatives. One reason I think is that these projects are not linked to the global capitalist system. For example, big agrochemical companies wouldn't be making profit from such projects and thus there's no lobbying for these kind of awesome initiatives. But another reason is probably also that it takes a lot of experience and planning, courage and intelligence, as well as leadership, to run a center as successfully as Joseph does. So even if money was available to fund these initiatives, not so many would actually be successful.

[@francktanoe1099]

Lets hope comme to africa , congrats

[@pumpkinlashes596]

Inspirational! Thanks for bringing us these amazing people!

[@AntonsClass]

How inspiring! I love to see it. I dream of creating such a sustaining system with a community one day ❤️

[@taha-selman]

Ver good info here keep the good work

[@GrowingSmall]

Thank you, will definitely post more videos like this in the future.

[@beatricek816]

Very very impressive. I would love to come and visit this place. How do I get there from Nanyuki town.?

[@nickp5093]

Good work, Joseph. Proves that the permaculture principles work in all climates and environments. That was the original vision of Mollison and Holmgren when they lay down the principles. It can also be done in varied form in backyards. I'm hoping to see it in larger scale community agriculture here, too. You can dream.

[@joykamotho3590]

wow! i should visit this place

[@naomintasikoi9899]

Quite educative and easily adaptable as well. Keep up we're coming to learn .

[@leedza]

Instead of moaning about how humans are messing up the planet, we should be celebrating the good examples so others can follow. Personally I was inspired by Yocuba Sawadogo

[@RasseG]

I want to practice permaculture too

[@catekamau3424]

Amazing..Well.done

[@BikeAndFish1]

Love it........

[@clairekibet3799]

Awsome.....

[@gardentours]

So inspiring not only for Africa 🌱👍

[@monicacruz4407]

Wonderful film, an example to follow. I wonder if they are selling moringa leaves? They can be dried and ponded into a powder, very nutritional. Thank you to all involved 🙏👏

[@apextroll]

When he said cactus, I knew it must be invasive. That's a good idea to use it for gas and compost.

[@GrowingSmall]

Turning problems into solutions! They also use the fruit to make jams and other products.

[@tamastag]

Amazing!

[@ForageGardener]

I believe women can be natural euntrapraneurs very much so. I've worked for MANY small business in my day, and among the best most successful of them, it was mostly those created by women! Its not 100%, but I think women have just a bit more of that special X factor that helps them succeed at a somewhat higher rate euntrapranurially. I would hope men and women can support one another in their endeavors as a community! Everyone has special skills amd abilities and talents :)

[@GrowingSmall]

Thanks for sharing!

[@sarahachieng4131]

I've just loved what I've seen today. Looking forward to more uploads! The natural way of carrying out these activities has immensely blessed me. May you keep souring higher🌹I would like to learn more as I plan to start practising the same

[@voltrk4707]

Wise man with a vision

[@evanskhaemba1276]

Wonderful

[@ellacarr6037]

Thank you for sharing this videos! I would have never thought to visit 🇰🇪 but its on my bucket list now!!

[@GrowingSmall]

Kenya is absolutely beautiful!

[@madurasilva2810]

Very impressive. It also my dream after retiring from sea life.

[@ciikumurimi]

Amazing ❤

[@isabellaburnett]

wonderful!

[@dannyhughes4889]

Inspiring.

[@starfishcove5989]

This gladdens my heart. I'm so happy to see permaculture gaining steam (becoming more known for its effectiveness in sustainability) in African countries (and elsewhere) -- this is so wholesome and refreshing! I appreciate Mr. Lentunyoi's mastery in adapting the tools of permaculture to design this Kenyan food forest. It feels like a fully-functioning ecosystem with all the right cooperative elements supporting each other. The team's creativity with turning the cactus fruit into drinks and non-edibles such as cosmetics was truly inspiring as well. Big Thanks and appreciation to the Growing Small channel and to the good folks at Laikipia for sharing this uplifting story with us. 💖🇯🇲

[@GrowingSmall]

Thank you so much for your heartfelt comment, really means the world to me!

[@starfishcove5989]

@@GrowingSmall 🙏🏾😇

[@morrisonmatu5227]

We need to replicate this within the country

[@justafriend3408]

This is good, Weldone

[@nicolasbertin8552]

There is something I wonder about permaculture in Africa. In Europe, it works for vegetable farmers because they benefit from our western habits : people have trees, hedges, electricity and train company also trim trees. All of this generates green waste : tree branches, leaves, trunk wood chips. Landscape gardeners have big trucks and wood chippers to chip it, and need to PAY to bring it to the landfills. So when a farmer say "drop it at my place for free", they're happy. And the farmer gets free mulch, which will feed the soil, the worms, and ultimately the plants. No till, no fertilizers, healthier plants so no pesticides. However, that works because of cities, private gardens, train tracks, power lines etc... But Africa has a lot less of those. And I think this is why in African permaculture farms, I see a huge lack of mulch. You still see naked soil, which is really bad (UVs oxydates the organic matter and empoverishes the soils). You can work with cover crops, but those are tricky to use (to destroy). So it's easier to do cattle and food forests, which you see a lot in African permaculture projects.

[@kiringawanjiku7927]

The video was very educative. Kindly send contacts of the farmer for am Interested to go and learn

[@heinerpetersen6778]

Very nice project and I wish you (as a farmer from europe) much success!!! One question: can you tell us how many people you feed per acre related to food and income?

[@samuelmwangi3551]

Where are they located in Laikipia, i'd love to pay them a visit

[@GrowingSmall]

It's great that these kind of resources are resonating with the people trying to make a change!

[@mypenservices3740]

good job

[@paraxuas]

❤gracias

[@JonathanBydendyk]

Legend, a sustainable future for Africa

[@GrowingSmall]

Way to go, cheers!

[@haezlitt]

Thanks for posting this

[@GrowingSmall]

No problem!

[@chalphon4907]

Thumbs up!

[@tracytarlow9612]

How much water do you get per year? How do you irrigate? How close are you to Bungoma?

[@thomastiroch1770]

Ur garden looks so nice i love it🤩where did u purchase the methan biogas tank?

[@GrowingSmall]

No idea, reach out to Joseph for more info.

[@therockneverstops8261]

This could have been a series…

[@lorebrown5307]

The Mexican people use the prickly pear cactus pad as a vegetable, "nopale" This could be another food source or export product

[@GrowingSmall]

I think they've experimented with that as well!

[@Tamales21]

@@GrowingSmall tell that foo to eat them. Mexican abuelas all over KZbin will show him how. That is a staple food in northern Mexico.

[@joprent6727]

👏👏👏💕

[@ariadnepyanfar1048]

I love that Lentunyoi and the others love their rabbits too much to eat many of them.

[@tsholomoeketsi8679]

Good presentation. I am in Botswana, where can I buy biogas?

[@fabianmunene5564]

You don't buy it, you make it.

[@shamanking5195]

I live in a desert ,I would like to know how you grow Bamboo and Bananas in your area ??? any tips ???

[@melanielinkous8746]

Brilliant!

[@GrowingSmall]

Thanks!

[@machariamwangi1845]

Which pArt of laikipia

[@muemamusyoka6970]

Nice work brother. How can i get faide herbia albida seedlings, am in Athiriver.

[@GrowingSmall]

Not sure where to get it. Seems like it's everywhere in some parts of Kenya, and completely absent in others. Perhaps worth contacting Joseph directly!

[@Dabayare]

@1:45 He says "we go down the jubbas " What does Jubbas mean?

[@westonhungu3819]

Good work!where are you located in laikipia ? Is it far from nyeri?

[@GrowingSmall]

LPC is located just 30mins drive from Nanyuki. Visit them when you get a chance.

[@margaretmburu1406]

How do you contact him once in Nyanyuki to get further directions? Your channel is very very informative thank you.

[@westonhungu3819]

Am looking for vetiver grass

[@GrowingSmall]

Weston, LPC certainly has vetiver grass (or knows how to get it), so get in touch with them!

[@abuuzuberi8886]

hello Sir I need info for this man I need to go to leaning more from him pls I'm from Tanzania

[@jamesmbugua3256]

Hello there in tanzania you have permaculture centre

[@akeem1221]

How does that toilet function, do you have containers under when people poop? would like to construct one like that.

[@GrowingSmall]

Composting toilets...A lot of construction manuals online!

[@marjetgunning]

Are there courses how to apply Permaculture? I know a woman in Mukunike, the Machakos county, and she suffers for the lack of water.

[@GrowingSmall]

Yes, there is one happening in Machakos in March at a well-known center there which I visited once. See if this link works facebook.com/photo?fbid=5948290608525368&set=a.3506259739395146

[@marjetgunning]

@@GrowingSmall unfortunately the link doesn't work. Do you know the name of the center? Also a written explanation about how to apply permaculture would be nice, as the woman doesn't much money to travel and to pay for a course.

[@GrowingSmall]

@@marjetgunning Sorry the link doesn't work. Please drop me an email at [e-mail] and I'll send you the details.

[@carenchepngeno2638]

Where are you can women from my community visit

[@jhonPriego-dp5fd]

Yea nitrogen dirt 400 fruit trees

[@adolphedjasrabaye7753]

Good work ! i am realy interested to be trained in that farm in kenya i am from chad .please can i have his whatsap contact ? or email i will come to kenya in january thanks for the video.

[@BorBajzeljTomic]

Pride is a sin

[@suntzu8959]

You convert DC to AC and not vice versa

[@MadameButterfly800]

Looks like snakes paradise. No thanks

[@wilsonkipaloi968]

This is wonderful! Keep it up. We need more of these initiatives