Four things the Kalawani community in Kenya want you to know — in photos
This is the Kalawani community from southern Kenya
Last year, we gave cameras to members of the community and asked them to capture what has changed in their lives since our partner ADSE arrived in their village. Here are their top four messages:
1. Life was pretty tough before Christian Aid partner ADSE arrived
This image was taken by Mary Mulau Mutungi and shows just how dry the area was before ADSE arrived. Mary said:
“You can see the land was like a desert. People used to have to carry jerry cans very far to get water for their crops.”
With little water to irrigate their crops, the community’s harvests were small. Some members were forced to walk up to six miles a day just to collect water. Sometimes, women had to queue for twenty-four hours to get the water they needed!
Earnings were so low that many families were forced to choose between feeding their family and sending their kids to school.
2. A sand dam has transformed how people in Kalawani farm
This image of the community’s new sand dam built by ADSE was also taken by Mary.
Built of sturdy concrete and stretching wide across the river, ADSE’s sand dam means the community can wave goodbye to those long walks to collect water. Rainwater is collected in the sandy riverbed and piped to nearby fields. The result is flourishing crops which can feed a family or be sold at market. Mary said:
“We don’t have to walk a long distance so we are not wasting time. Now people can use the dam to fetch water or to take animals to drink.”
3. A new savings and loan scheme has increased their earning power
Because villagers don’t have access to formal financial services like loans and credit, ADSE have set up a Village Savings Loan (VSL) scheme. This photo was taken in a shop owned by one of the members.
Justus Musembi Nzioki, the photographer, wanted to show the impact of the scheme on the shopkeeper’s earnings.
“When this member takes a loan out, she invests in the shop. Before she had little stock, but now she has managed to put more stock in. She can also employ someone to come and work with her.” — Justus
By pooling the collective savings of the community, they are able to lend money to those in need. That means families can take out credit to pay for their children’s school fees or buy new seeds to grow.
4. Women have been the biggest winners
Before ADSE arrived, women like Rodah (above) couldn’t get training or credit to help them improve their farming. Access to village savings and loans schemes, and training in how to manage livestock, has dramatically helped to improve how much they can earn.
“Because we have been trained, people can now keep livestock. They can sell them and use the money for many things including education.”- Mary
Now, Rodah’s crops are in demand. So much so that she’s now paying her neighbours to help her out on the farm! Finally, she can feed her family and pay for her children to go to school.
Teresa’s farm is also flourishing. She has laid pipes from the dam to her garden so her veggies have a regular supply of water. Like Rodah, she’s also been able to hire casual workers to help assist with the harvest.
Business-savvy Alice has used the village savings loans scheme to help buy 9,000 mangoes seeds, which she harvested and sold. She also used a loan to construct a communal fish pond which will provide her with additional income for harder times.
So much has been achieved in Kalawani. Now that the community’s been given a boost, the future looks bright indeed!
The story of the Kalawani community features in Christian Aid’s Harvest Appeal. For more information visit our Harvest Appeal site.
