Disclaimer: My post today will not be quite as uplifting as the past two. It is my hope, however, that the contents of this post will alert you to a disaster in waiting – a disaster that will affect not only the Lewa projects, but Kenya, and Africa, as a whole. Today I speak of the drought that has gripped the state of Kenya and will, inevitably, lead to much suffering in the coming dry season.
Eldoret, located in Western Kenya, about 100 km north west of Nairobi, traditionally receives between 70 and 80 inches of rain during the “long rain” season (which stretches from March to September). This year, however, rains have been infrequent and unpredictable, leaving the vast majority of Kenya’s farmers without enough viable crops or water reserves to last them until next March.
Wilting crops at the Baraka Farm
The Baraka Farm, which is supposed to provide food and water to the Lewa Children’s Home as well as to the Kipkeino School, has only received one day of good rains this year. Many of the Farm’s life-sustaining crops such as maize, cabbage and potatoes have shriveled to nothing.
The water supply is also dwindling – with one of the complex’s two dams having already dried completely. The complex’s only well is providing less and less water with each passing day. Though the farm workers are attempting to dig deeper to increase the well’s water production, but the digging is slow-going and gets much more dangerous the deeper they dig. The wells must be dug by hand because there is no machinery capable of handling the job in that area.
Baraka Farm worker digging a water well
This season’s droughts hold heavy implication’s for the survival of the Kenyan lower classes. Because rains have been sparse throughout East Africa, food prices will inevitably spike next year. Furthermore, as water supplies run dry, livestock will either have to be sold (for very low prices) or killed for their meat before they die of thirst. Emergency relief will be needed across East Africa to provide the poorest with the food and water they need to survive until the next rainy season.
Though I hate having to paint such a grim picture about the state of Kenya, there is an upside to this story. The one thing about drought-related tragedies is that, with much foresight and even more hard work, they can be mitigated in the years to come. Sustainable water projects and modern farming techniques (such as drip irrigation) can’t make up for the lack of rain, but they can help in many ways. The Baraka Farm already employs some of these techniques and has plans to expand/improve its water harvesting capabilities with the help of a volunteer hydrologist in France.
Chemutai enjoying her lunch courtesy of the Baraka Farm
Unfortunately, however, the Lewa complex will need more help than ever next year to ensure that the children at the Home and School are kept well-fed and healthy. Due to the crop failure at the Farm, they will have to purchase food supplies subject to volatile market processes. Bread and Water for Africa will do everything that it can to ensure that no child suffers during these times of need. I don’t think anyone who has ever met those precious children would spare any expense to make sure they are as happy and healthy as possible. I know I’m going to do my part. And hopefully next year Mother Nature will be kinder to the nation of Kenya.
Interested in seeing the Lewa projects for yourself? Now you can! Bread and Water for Africa is hosting a Kenyan Safari and Program tour in August 2010 (exact dates TBD). This 8-day safari will take you not only to Kenya’s world famous Maasai Mara National Park, but will also allow you to spend 3 days exploring the Lewa projects and getting to know Phyllis and her family.
