Village Empowerment in Kenya: Water, Food Systems & Education

Imagine a village where clean water flows freely, trees once lost to deforestation return to the land, and youth are equipped not just to survive — but to lead. In Western Kenya, this vision is taking root through Springboard Connectivity’s Village Empowerment and Transformation Project (VET) — a three-phase initiative built on sustainability, collaboration, and regeneration.

In a village of 3,500 people facing rising temperatures, food insecurity, and a lack of opportunity, we are working hand-in-hand with community leaders to change the narrative from one of survival to one of thriving.

A Model for Regeneration: The Three Phases of VET

At Springboard, we believe every community holds the seeds of its own transformation. Our job is to provide the water, light, and nourishment to help them grow.

🌊 Phase 1: Clean Water for Every Home

In February 2025, we completed the first milestone: the installation of a solar-powered water well, two storage tanks, and three spigots that now serve the entire village — and beyond.

Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Tides Foundation, this well has become a lifeline in the face of increasingly unpredictable droughts and floods.

“The water came at just the right time. Even people from outside our village are coming to fetch, and we are happy to share with them… Every time I meet someone, they thank me. It makes me happy to see the impact.”
— Oliver Juma, VET Project Leader, Springboard Board Member

The impact has been profound:

Reduced waterborne illness
Shorter walks for women and children
Improved sanitation and hygiene
Kitchen gardens thriving
Livestock nourished
Dignity restored

🌳 Phase 2: Food Systems & Forests

With water now flowing, we’re deep into Phase 2 — the transformation of food systems and reforestation of the village. This stage is about long-term resilience and health, with a major emphasis on:

A Tree Nursery: Natives, fruit trees, timber, and medicinal herbs
Women-Led Micro Poultry Farms: Providing eggs for protein and income
Team Training & Travel: On-the-ground implementation and education
Soil and Seed Wisdom: Tools like grafting, permaculture, and regenerative methods to create abundance in unpredictable climates

Meet VETO — the Village Empowerment and Transformation Team. Made up of passionate local youth, this team is ready to activate change. Guided by Springboard board member Jason Braunberger — a geologist, permaculture teacher, and regenerative farming expert — and in partnership with local leaders, the next chapter is already underway.

We’re not just planting trees — we’re planting leadership, knowledge, and hope.

🏫 Phase 3: The Learning Center and Food Hub

Coming next: the grand finale — a skills-based learning center and community food hub. Built on land purchased in the village, this space will offer:

A technology education lab
Virtual and in-person courses from global educators
A community garden and food forest
A replicable model of holistic village care

This is where we bring it all together: water + food + education = transformation.

Meet Oliver: A New Kind of Leader

At the heart of this project is Oliver, a Springboard Connectivity board member, youth leader, and founder-in-the-making. With our support, Oliver is launching his own nonprofit — GreenLeap — so that Malaha Village Projects can become self-sustaining long after Springboard’s three phases are complete.

His leadership is a model for what becomes possible when youth are trusted, resourced, and empowered.

His mother is now leading the Elder Women’s Circles.
His sisters are mobilizing the youth.
His whole family is part of this story — one of intergenerational healing and rising.

Why This Work Is Urgent

Malaha’s challenges are not unique — they’re global:

Idle youth, vulnerable to despair and harmful behaviors
Malnutrition, from a diet lacking protein and diversity
Water stress, intensified by climate change
Economic stagnation, with few job opportunities

Currently, most residents farm corn, beans, and sweet potatoes — but extreme weather is making this harder. Rain no longer comes predictably. Sometimes it doesn’t come at all. Sometimes it comes in floods. And still, families must eat.

We believe eggs, goat milk, and fruit trees can fill this gap — providing both nourishment and income.

But beyond food, people need purpose. That’s why we pair physical systems (wells, trees, chickens) with education and empowerment. This project is about health, yes — but also dignity, creativity, and community pride.

How You Can Help

This is how regeneration happens — one village at a time, led by the people who live there, with support from people who care.

✨ Support the launch of the Tree Nursery and Poultry Co-ops
✨ Help fund travel and training for VETO
✨ Sponsor a future teacher or food hub element
✨ Join the global movement for holistic, grounded, healing development

Because when one village thrives, the whole world ripples.