Local agricultural producers can now source farm support workers through the Kenyan Work Project.
By Jennifer Feinberg - Chilliwack Progress

A group of 110 pre-screened workers from agricultural communities across Kenya are ready to be placed on Fraser Valley farms for 18-month stints at a time.

"The need for workers is huge," said Ron Dyck, a job developer with the Community Employment Resource Centre in Chilliwack.

"What we've found in talking with ag producers is that this is work that no other locals want."

Two information sessions about the Kenya project were presented for farmers last week in Chilliwack and Abbotsford, and more are slated for next month to attract interested producers from every type of operation from dairy farms to greenhouses.

Asked when the first workers are set to arrive in Canada, the job developer replied, "As soon as I can place them on local farms."

About 15 workers will be flying in at a time. It will be a mix of men and women, aged 18 to 30, all of whom speak English.

The Kenyan project is part of the Seasonal Farm Workers Program of the Lower Mainland, which is a federal program. But it's unique in the sense of having a longer work period compared to some seasonal programs.

"We anticipate being able to place the workers fairly easily, but we still have to market this program and do our due diligence," Dyck said.

Because of their impoverished backgrounds, the prospect of being paid slightly more than $9 an hour for farm work is extremely appealing for the workers from that part of East Africa. The Kenyan government will be covering costs such as the workers' flights and insurance.

"The workers' wages have the potential to cover the first three years of university for them, with money left over to send home," he added.

Once the workers are settled onto a farm operation and into a routine, whenever there's a break in the work schedule, there's plans for additional skills training, such as welding, forklift operation or first aid.

"So we talk about it as win-win-win, not only for the workers but for their families back home as well."

The unique project was spearheaded by Dyck's boss, Imbenzi George, a Canadian citizen with origins in Kenya, who operates several employment resource centres in Abbotsford, Chilliwack and more.

Imbenzi is also "honorary consul" of the Consulate of the Republic of Kenya.

Project proponents started with 5,000 applicants and whittled it down to 110 shortlisted workers.


For more information about the project call 604-703-5304