During our time in Kenya, we traveled to the center of the country to the Samburo region.
If there's one thing this area lacks, it's water.
So we made it our goal to understand the difference water can make by visiting several
villages that had received a well from the Samburo project.
With the help of Lucas, the program manager for the Samburo project, we had a rare opportunity
to be introduced to the members of the Samburo community so that they could tell their story.
The Samburo people are pastoralists, meaning that they tend herds of cows, goats, and even
camels.
The traditionally live in a manyata, which is the Swahili word for settlement.
The Samburo area receives peak rainfall during early April to late May, the long rains, and
mid-October to mid-December, the short rains.
Dry conditions usually prevail outside of these times.
During our time in Samburo, we visited five wells.
At the third well, we had the opportunity to interview one of the women leaders in the
community.
Her name is Nilvesi.
The first change that I saw since we had this well is that the community, myself included,
was healthy.
Before, we used to take contaminated water, but this well water is very clean.
As a result, we don't have a problem with disease right now.
Every women are able to be at home with our children, and small kids have time for school.
While this nursery school is under a tree, with the help of others, we hope to have a
permanent structure in the future.
From here, we moved on to the next well.
This one had been built just a year ago.
By chance, we met Michael, the son of the village elder.
Even though the well was a recent addition, we heard much the same story.
Before the well, there was a lot of time spent in search of water.
We specifically asked about school enrollment.
We were told, before the well was built, there were 30 children enrolled.
Now there are 86.
On the following day, we decided to walk a portion of the route that one of the women
from the Lemoy village follows to get water.
Mary leaves her manata at 7 a.m. and doesn't return till 2 p.m.
She does this every other day.
Her village has applied for a well, but their application is on the waiting list with many
others because of funding.
We also had a chance to speak to the chief of the Lemoy village about the challenges
at his people.
When we were talking earlier, you mentioned some of the cows that would normally be here
are not here and the men are not here.
They're far away.
Why is that?
Because of now, the problem of water, the animals have no water and you should have
to take it to where they can get water.
How far is that away?
Almost 100 kilometers away from here because it's on the side of Maralan.
And two years ago, there was a severe drought in this area.
And what happened as a result?
In fact, the livestock were wiped away by the drought.
The only bank they have is just these animals, the cows, the goats, and the chemicals, as
they are banked.
And when the drought comes, it's wiped away and there's nothing to remain with.
So even now, you still feel the effects of that drought two years ago?
Yeah, we are still here.
Today, the San Buro Project has drilled over 40 wells, providing clean, safe drinking water
for 40,000 people.
If you would like to learn more about the San Buro people and the project that is doing
so much to meet their needs, you can do so at their website.
Thank you.
