Finally the rains come to Kenya

And then there was rain… Rain has finally come to Eastern Kenya (and most of Kenya). Driving through Mwala, I am amazed at the difference in the landscape. The fields are now lusciously green and filled with crops. The once dried rivers are now full. The heavy rains have turned the roads into a ‘four wheel drive only’ zone and part of our afternoon is spent trying to extract our heavy-duty 4x4 from the riverbed. Looking at this scenery, one would think Mwala is a fertile area with high food production. “Visit during September/October and you will not believe it is the same place - it will be very dry and dusty,” says Frank Meme, the Mwala programme manager. “Last year’s drought and the resulting famine were extremely severe; the community was forced to rely on relief food”, he reminds us. Evelyn and I were off to visit an Irish Aid funded project in Mwala ADP, to check up on how your tax contributions have been put to work! At last, enough food! After a long, bumpy drive, we arrived at the Wali Imwe Ndigua (one piece of cloth cannot make a dress) farmers group to a red carpet welcome. Each group member told us how this project, coupled with the great rains, has drastically increased his/her yield. This farmers group had been trained in improved farming methods and received crop seeds, fruit tree seedlings, farming equipment and livestock (Galla goats and cockerels). This has dramatically improved the group’s ability to fend for themselves: For example, the group’s treasurer told us that he has harvested 500kg of maize compared to 30kg of maize the previous season. Each group member contributes a small amount of their harvest to be stored and used as seeds for the next season. The surplus food is sold at the market and the profit used to benefit the group and promote their development. The group is determined to work their way out of poverty: “Hatutaki watu wa hiki kikundi wasikie njaa tena” (we don’t want our group members to go hungry again), the group’s Chairman told us. Water Kiosks At another project site, pointing to some far off hills, the Secretary for the Water Users Association recalls the long distances community members would walk to fetch water. Irish Aid funded a food security project which enabled the construction of a borehole, water tank and eight water kiosks in this drought prone area. Water from the borehole is pumped to the water kiosks where it is distributed to community members at an affordable rate. These kiosks are placed at convenient locations, reducing the distance community members walk to fetch water. Previously, people were walking up to 20km to fetch water, which meant entire days were wasted just trying to get water. To compensate for the lack of water, clothes went unwashed and bathing became a luxury. This led to the outbreak of skin diseases and water borne diseases – misery. Making a difference Despite the brevity of our visit, it was clear that the community were 100% behind the project and were maximising all opportunities given to lifting themselves out of poverty. I was deeply humbled by their welcome and gratitude for the help they have received from Irish Aid through World Vision Ireland. I was moved by the sense of accomplishment in their voices when they showed us their crops and livestock and their hope for the future. This visit reminded me of the reason for which we do this work- we are transforming lives and restoring hope. By Evelyn in Kenya

Sending the Rain from Ireland

It can be a killer early morning flight from Dublin to Nairobi - this time it was a 4.30 am start.

Fourteen hours later, I arrived home in the dark. Yet again there’s no power. This is nothing new to me – on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays I have no electricity.

No Electricity The ongoing drought has dried up the rivers serving Kenya’s hydroelectric power stations and the Government is imposing strict power rations to ensure that the manufacturing and business areas continue to be served. Weather forecast

I fumble the key into the lock. From the darkness, my delighted dog comes barrelling out at me. He’s covered in mud. At long last, it’s been raining! As an Irish person, it almost goes against my nature to hope that the forecast for “good rains” will be correct, but the livelihoods and lives of people here depend on it. There’s been little to no rain here for the past year. While we complain about our seemingly perma-rain in Ireland, we would definitely miss it if we went without it for a year. Sunburn and half-naked builders Our grievances would be small at first – sunburn, half-naked builders – but they would quickly grow as water and electricity were rationed. Agriculture and industry would take a major hit, undermining an already struggling economy. In Kenya, this is the reality now. If only we could send some of the rain from Ireland over here.