A Year Later: Greater Farming Opportunities!

James Muoki is a 32-year-old farmer in Yumbani and shared what it was like before a hand-dug well was constructed in his community last year. “It was very difficult to get water before. We had to dig very deep scoop holes to fetch water for drinking, household chores, farming, and for our livestock activities. There were very long queues at water holes. We had to wait for [a] very long [time] before our turn to fetch water would reach [us] and this wasted a lot of time. My crops would often wither. I often had to mostly rely on drought-resistant crops.”

James continued describing how life is different since the project. “Now, it is very easy to fetch water for use. The shallow well pump is very efficient and easy to use. Life is easier now. We draw water from the well and get back with no strains. In less than five minutes we are back to our homes with fully filled jerrycans and ready to conduct our duties.”

Since finding and collecting water has become less of a burden for James he is growing different crops. “I am preparing my farm to plant vegetables such as kale and spinach. I will also plant watermelons on my farm and irrigate them using the water from the river. I had already planted some vegetables using the water in the previous season which I sold to some community members and also consumed for our own household use.”

James pumping water at the well.