Empowerment, Integrity & the Seasons of Change

At Harvesting for Good East Africa, empowerment isn’t just a value, it’s the foundation of every garden bed we create, every training we deliver, and every community we partner with. Our work is rooted in the belief that abundance is possible anywhere when people, soil, and systems are nurtured with intention.

Recently, however, we faced a difficult transition. We made the decision to let go of a staff member due to serious misconduct. It has been unsettling and disappointing, especially because our work depends on trust, stewardship, and alignment with the values we teach. But integrity must sit at the heart of everything we do. We simply cannot advocate for the regeneration of land while compromising on the integrity of those caring for it.

This pause — while challenging — has been powerful.

We’ve taken a few weeks to breathe, to reflect, to restructure. We shared a transparent message with our community and course participants, and the response has been humbling. People reached out to express support, encouragement, and understanding. That solidarity reinforced something important:

When values are protected, the community grows stronger.

Leadership, Responsibility & the Courage to Pause

As the director and founder of this organization, I hold these values very deeply. I’ve been part of permaculture for fourteen years now, long before Harvesting for Good EA existed, and the core of this work has always been rooted in empowerment.

We give people opportunities. We nurture their growth.We trust them with meaningful work.

But when core values are repeatedly broken, a second, third, fourth time, I confront the issue directly. And when that doesn’t resolve the behavior, I make decisions. Hard ones. The kind that demands standing firmly in the arena, while knowing that protecting integrity is both a responsibility and an act of leadership.

In my previous role, when a crisis hit, we kept pushing. We didn’t pause. And that burnout shaped me. It taught me that a leader must sometimes hit pause,  to prevent cracks from becoming collapse.

So yes, we’ve stepped back for three weeks.Not as a loss.But as an investment in a stronger future.

We’re building a foundation for the next season, and the next few years, and that requires thoughtful restructuring, reflection, and alignment with the values we stand for.

Permaculture teaches us that:

1. Growth isn’t linear 

2. Healthy systems require care 

3. Letting go is sometimes essential 

4. Pauses are part of regeneration

5. That is true in landscapes, and in leadership.

   
   

This enterprise remains intentionally small for a reason. We care. We invest personally in the people we work with. We want trainers and future leaders who take this responsibility seriously. Who shows up fully. Who empower communities with respect and presence, not just procedure.

Because empowerment isn’t only about skills.It’s about character.It’s about how we show up.

Now… we are growing forward with intention

Despite the challenges, excitement is already blooming:

• New partnerships and diverse projects emerging

• New site visits scheduled this week

• A beautiful collaboration beginning with a local restaurant

• A refreshed team structure grounded in values alignment

• A new branch of the work has also emerged

  
  

We remain deeply committed to:

• Empowering individuals through hands-on learning

• Regenerating land and food systems with permaculture

• Building a culture of integrity, resilience, and community care

  
  

This work matters, to farmers, to communities, to individuals, to families, to cities, to future generations.

Even when discouraging moments arise, we do not give up. We learn. We evolve. We continue.

Empowerment in permaculture is both internal and external. It means nurturing what is good, in soil, systems, and in the people who steward them.

Thank you for standing with us during this transition, and for believing in our mission. The new season ahead feels grounded, hopeful, and aligned, and we’re ready to grow forward together.

Watch this space!

With gratitude,

Sheena Shah- Reschke