Published in July 2024

In water-scarce dryland communities, people often rely on one another to help them get through the difficult times. Speaking with two members of the Taa wa Kiuukuni self-help group in southeast Kenya, we learn how this quality of mutual support has helped the community to find shared solutions to the challenges they face.

Mueni Mutuku, a 57-year-old mother of six, and Pauline Musyoka, a 35-year-old mother of four, both joined the Taa wa Kiuukuni self-help group (SHG) because they wanted to be a part of change in their community.

"We felt that we needed to uplift each other," shares Mueni, "As we are used to helping each other through contributing small amounts of money amongst ourselves."

Both Mueni and Pauline are farmers who have struggled for years with water scarcity, which had severe impacts on their lives, particularly their ability to farm effectively. Pauline told us about the difficult journey she faced each morning to collect water from the nearest river.

"I would typically wake at around 4am when everyone else was sleeping. The distance from my home to the river is not very far, but road could be very dangerous because of very big stones on the path. These could hide snakes and other dangerous wild animals. Once I was even attacked by a venomous snake, but thankfully I escaped without any injuries."

Mueni went on to explain why such journeys could take hours, despite the relatively short distances.

"At the river, we could wait for hours and hours for water because of long queues, no matter how early we got there. I could get home as late as 10am after a long time waiting, then I may take my livestock to feed before sleeping a little during the day, since I was so tired."

Mueni Mutuku, member of the Taa wa Kiuukuni self-help group, southeast Kenya.

Expanding on these issues, Pauline shares how this long and tiresome journey would affect the rest of her daily life.

"I would return home too tired to engage in other demanding activities, such as cooking and farming, but I had no time to relax. Wasting this time could end up with me not being able to do all other activities in the day, leaving many duties unattended for days or even months during the dry seasons which occupy most of the year."

The impact of these circumstances on farming livelihoods was profound, as Mueni reports of her own situation.

"My farm looked bare and unworthy. The lack of water forced us to rely on rainwater to feed our crops, which is not very reliable in this dry area. Our produce was often way below our expectations, and there was hardly anything we could do about it."

The Taa wa Kiuukuni community have constructed two sand dams since they started working with the Africa Sand Dam Foundation (ASDF), our partners in southeast Kenya. Thanks to the water provided by these dams, people are now attesting to positive impacts on their lives. Mueni was one person who affirmed this.

"Since we have this water, our lives have changed for the better. Now the long waits at the river are no longer experienced. I do not have to wake so early and now I have enough time to work on my farm and do other activities in my home."

Pauline echoes Mueni’s positive verdict, sharing her own views on how things have changed.

"Water security, for me, is our greatest achievement. I am no longer worried about where, when, and how to get water. I can fetch water at any time during the day, which makes me feel very secure. My children enjoy pumping water from the shallow well as it is easy and convenient."

Pauline Musyoka, member of the Taa wa Kiuukuni self-help group, southeast Kenya.

Their sand dam projects have not only supported the community with their water security, but have also had notable impacts on the quality of their farming. Thanks to the training that was provided by ASDF in sustainable agriculture, as well as being supplied with livestock and seeds to set up a seed bank, people are finding more success on their farms. As Mueni tells us,

"I have managed to harvest good produce and implement good post-harvest practices. Now I am planting new crops, such as beans and green grams, as well as mango and papaya trees. I look forward to selling my surplus to gain an income, which I will use to improve my household and pay school fees for my family."

Both Mueni and Pauline agreed that one of their biggest achievements was the establishment of their seed bank, an element of their project which underlines the value of cooperation and shared input. Mueni shared some further details with us.

"The seed bank has helped us to achieve good yields due to the availability of reliable seed. Currently we have two 90kg sacks of seeds for both beans and green grams. This means that when it comes to planting time, we always have plenty in our store to share."

Pauline concluded the interview with some closing thoughts on the overall impact of their project on local people.

"Our togetherness has been strengthened further by this project. We have received many trainings to boost us as a group and gained knowledge on how to practice good farming techniques, instilling change in our whole community. I feel very happy! Now we have water, nothing is impossible for us."

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Our current appeal: Please donate what you can and help give the lasting gift of sand dams and clean water to the next generation of vulnerable dryland communities