From Ocean to Garden: Growing Knowledge and Nourishment at the Orphanage

At Ocean Sole, education is at the heart of our mission — because we believe lasting change begins with awareness, especially in young minds.

All ears and eager minds 🧠 Before diving into ocean trivia, these young conservationists tuned in for a lesson that turned learning into laughter.

Last week, we wrapped up our latest marine conservation course at the orphanage in coastal Kenya — an inspiring example of education through art in action. The older children celebrated with a lively ocean trivia session (where sea turtle facts flew faster than we could keep score), while the younger ones enjoyed colouring and labeling marine animals like dolphins and manta rays — many of which they’ve met before in our upcycled flip flop art.

Proud of her turtle and her new knowledge 🐢 One drawing at a time, children are discovering the beauty — and the fragility — of our marine world.

Every crayon stroke builds awareness 🖍️ During Sea Turtle Week, these kids brought marine life to life — learning why sea turtles need our protection.

This kind of community-based conservation program not only sparks curiosity — it lays the foundation for lifelong environmental stewardship.

Now, we’re turning from ocean to earth as we begin work on a new kitchen garden at the orphanage — a project rooted in sustainability, nourishment, and hands-on learning. The garden will provide fresh, local vegetables to enrich the children’s meals while deepening their connection to the land.

Sally doesn’t just guide hands — she nurtures hearts 💚 Our Ocean Sole Mamaz are the roots of this work, passing on knowledge and kindness every step of the way.

Our Ocean Sole Mamaz will play a vital role, guiding the kids in planting and farming — passing on traditional knowledge and expanding their horizons. It’s also a chance to grow our impact in regenerative agriculture as part of our wider conservation mission. Older children will even get to learn practical skills like laying foundations and building coral brick garden walls — turning this garden into a classroom of its own.

Thanks to our incredible donors, clean water now flows 🌱 This water tank is more than infrastructure — it’s nourishment for the garden and the children who will tend it.

Like everything we do at Ocean Sole, we’re building this garden with intention. Materials are sourced locally: coral bricks collected as we dig, and wooden shade-net structures to replace rust-prone metal in Kenya’s salty coastal air. The garden will be laid out in neat, north-south beds for optimal sunlight, with gravel paths so the children can walk between rows and tend the plants themselves.

This effort is more than a garden — it's an extension of our larger vision. As a social enterprise in Kenya tackling flip flop pollution solutions and ocean plastic recycling projects, we know that real impact happens when you invest in people, place, and purpose.

When you buy our upcycled flip flop art, you're doing more than decorating a space — you're supporting both communities & the ocean they depend on. Every sculpture funds marine conservation education, supports community-based projects like this garden, and empowers Kenyan artisans through dignified work. This is sustainable art from waste — with roots in education, nourishment, and joy.

From ocean waste 🌸 This vibrant vase, made from upcycled flip flops, reminds us that beauty can bloom from the unexpected.

Your purchase helps us turn pollution into possibility, and waste into wonder.

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