A Year Later: Sharing What He Sows

"Before this project, life was totally unbearable here, as we are located in a region that receives little or no rainfall all through the year," 64-year-old farmer Benson Mutuku. "During dry seasons, the river could dry, then a journey to search for water would set off. Community members would trek for around five kilometers to reach a dam which could hold some water."

Life without water was so tedious for people in Lema. But since they put in weeks of hard work to build a sand dam and shallow well in their community, everything has changed.

"After constructing this sand dam, life has changed a lot," said Benson, who still serves as secretary in his community's Water User Committee. "In the past year, I have been able to practice farming, which is evident on our farm where we have planted wheat, sorghum, and bitter herbs. During the last dry season, the community maneuvered very swiftly having clean water, and didn’t have to trek for long distances in search of water anymore."

With the gift of clean water in his grasp, Benson hasn't wasted any time in working toward a better future for himself and his family.

"In the past year, I have planted numerous trees," he said. "I have prepared a land where I will practice kitchen garden farming just to have vegetables near me. As a group, we have emphasized proper hygiene and sanitation [in] our homes, as water is available to gear up the practice. We have also grown numerous crops for the group, hoping to get high yields for seed banking for the group to share and plant in the coming season."

Benson shows off his farm.