Water

n February of 2023, Oliver Juma came to us, delivering this message:

“Many years back, we used to get enough rain but at the moment, we are only getting rains for two to three months. The climatic changes and effects in our region have been affecting our farming activities. It’s been really tough for my family since we depend on farming for survival. We’re happy that we’ve started receiving some rain, but I was wondering if WSS can offer any advice or knowledge on how we can handle this situation. I was thinking that maybe they can help us with water harvesting from the rain, drilling of bore to get clean water for consumption and also for irrigation during dry season, and getting irrigation materials to the farmers. It would also be great if they can teach my family and my village people the importance of water conservation and efficient irrigation techniques.”  

Oliver lives in a rural town called Malaha in Western Kenya. He helps his mother run a small ¼ acre family farm, which provides food for his family and his community. They grow corn, ground nuts, avocado, sweet potato and some vegetables. Oliver’s concern with the water situation in his region is amplified by the many people across Africa facing the same issues… Longer drought season and intense flooding when rains do come, making their traditional farming practices less and less possible. This only intensifies the feeling of food insecurity and being in perpetual survival-mode. As we welcomed Oliver into our community, we began to understand the many challenges facing his family and community, not only with food, but with education and social dynamics as well.

By watching the movie based on a true story, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” on Netflix, you will see that the issues with water, food, education and deforestation are fundamental issues that need to be solved before these people can reach a state of sustainability, thriving, health and wellbeing. And we at Springboard Connectivity are devoted to helping create this for and with them.  In the USA, we take for granted that we have flushing toilets, sinks in the kitchen, bathroom, and garage, hoses outside, sprinkler and irrigation systems for our yards. In places like the many rural villages across Africa, they have close to zero water infrastructure albeit a small jerry can that they use to transport water from the river or spring to their home. People are selling and buying water, fetching it from the river, or buying it from the well at the hospital. There is no reservoir that collects it and pumps it to their homes. They have to go fetch it.

With weather patterns increasingly becoming inconsistent, relying on the rain to water their crops presents a very distressing life situation where they are unsure if their crops such as maize will make it to fruition. With food and water being what survival depends on,  Springboard Connectivity is committed to ensuring those who are ready to participate in climate crisis solutions have these foundational needs first and foremost. That’s why we give rainwater catchment systems, wells, education on waterwise farming practices, solar water pumps, rain gardens, filtration systems, ponds and reservoirs to our constituents. Our founder, Tracy Tarlow, has received the Core Course from Water Stories and is trained in restoring water cycles. She teaches these methods to all of Springboard Connectivity’s beneficiaries.

See our projects page to view the greatest needs for water and the amazing, talented farmers who are working to reforest Kenya and bring social empowerment to their communities. Let’s support them in their activities and let their communities flourish.