Torch Initiatives

08/08/2026

On July 19, I had the opportunity to participate in the AVA Summit Ghana, contributing to the closing presentation, “Past, Present, and Future , Africa’s Growing Vegan and Farmed Animal Movement.”

One reflection that has stayed with me is that shifting funding does not automatically mean shifting power.

As Africa’s movements grow, we have an opportunity to strengthen our own leadership and ownership, by growing African philanthropy

International partnerships remain important, but sustainable movements also require a strong foundation from within Africa.

Ultimately, this is about more than funding. It is about African leadership, ownership, collaboration and sustainability.

Grateful for the conversations and connections at .

04/07/2026

https://prezi.com/craft/video/4pvvqvj3rihl:
Inviting my page followers to watch.
This is an overview of a lecture titled "Community-Centered and Sustainable Food Systems Transition in African Realities," highlighting why locally driven, inclusive approaches are essential to transforming Africa's food systems. I am grateful to ICARE's Governing the Food Systems Transformation (GFST) program for the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation, which continues to strengthen my journey as a community sustainable food systems advocate.

View this presentation on Prezi.

16/05/2026

Honoured to be part of the final Thrive Africa Accelerator 2026 webinar on 21st May as we prepare for Thrive Africa Vegan Restaurant Week 2026. Looking forward to sharing practical experiences on community mobilisation, partnerships, and building impactful local campaigns across Thrive Africa

Dear Plant-Based Food Advocates,

As we conclude the Thrive Africa Accelerator 2026, we warmly invite you to join our final webinar - a session designed to equip and inspire leaders preparing to host the Thrive Africa Vegan Restaurant Week 2026 in their communities.

This webinar will focus on the key drivers of successful community activation: mobilising people, building meaningful partnerships, and creating lasting impact.

We are honoured to welcome two special guests:

• Virginia Ruguru
A community outreach coordinator and advocate for plant-based food systems, leading Initiatives to promote plant-based diets. Under Torch Initiatives she has engaged over 2,000 students, 500 women, and 1,000 youth in Kenya, highlighting the role of culturally rooted food systems in addressing health challenges and the wider impacts of industrial animal agriculture.

Nicola Vernon
Founder & Director of Greyton Farm Animal Sanctuary

Date: Thursday, 22 May 2026
Time: 5:00 PM EAT

We look forward to seeing you .

12/05/2026

I got over 300 reactions on one of my posts last week! Thanks everyone for your support! 🎉

05/05/2026

Glad to be attending this conference

Plant-based nutrition in life and practiceThe evidence is clear. Plant-based nutrition is a powerful lever for sustainable health. It’s available every day, in every meal.This one-day conference brings together leading experts, practitioners, and individuals to share what the research is showing ....

23/04/2026

A visit to Mulango Farm gave us a new perspective on animals.

Here, animals are not kept for production, they are simply allowed to live. No milking. No pressure. Just care. Treated as fellow beings, not resources.

I found myself asking, can this really work in our African context?
Because we are used to a different relationship—animals are often shooed away, not raised with affection. But here, I saw the opposite. One cow even came close for affection, like a dog. It made me reflect deeply on how environment shapes behavior.

The question many will ask is: “Then what will we drink? Where will milk come from?”
Yet the good book reminds us: “I give you every seed-bearing plant… and every tree that has fruit… they will be yours for food.” — Genesis 1:29

Milk can come from plants—almonds, soy, and more. And in doing so, we also begin to address growing health concerns and the realities of climate change.

Perhaps this is not something foreign, but a quiet return to what was always intended. 🌱

“The righteous care for the needs of their animals.” — Proverbs 12:10

Maybe it’s time we rethink and slowly embrace a more compassionate way of living—for our health, our planet, and all living beings.