Blog / From Skills to Opportunity: Charles Maina Builds a Tree Nursery Business
For Charles Maina, a skill he learned while in prison became the foundation for a new chapter in his life.
In 2015, while serving his sentence, Charles received training supported by RODI Kenya on tree nursery management. The training introduced him to practical skills that he would later use to create an income-generating activity after his release.
After leaving prison, Charles continued building on what he had learned. He received further training in organic farming, soil management and tree nursery establishment and management. Rather than letting his past define his future, he chose to put these skills into practice.
Today, Charles runs his own tree nursery and sells seedlings to farmers, schools and members of the surrounding communities.
His nursery has become both a source of income and a way of supporting environmental conservation in his community. Through the seedlings he produces, Charles is contributing to tree planting while helping farmers and institutions access trees for their farms, schools and other spaces.
What started as training in 2015 has grown into a practical livelihood.
Charles' journey demonstrates the value of skills development and the opportunities that can emerge when people are equipped with knowledge they can use beyond the training room. For him, tree nursery management is not simply about growing seedlings. It is about building a sustainable livelihood, serving his community and creating a positive future.
His story also reflects the importance of rehabilitation and reintegration. Skills gained during rehabilitation can provide a pathway towards self-reliance when individuals return to their communities.
Through its work in social and restorative justice, RODI Kenya supports opportunities that connect people with practical skills, livelihoods and community development.
Charles continues to grow his tree nursery, one seedling at a time.
His story is a reminder that with skills, opportunity and determination, a new chapter can begin.
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