Resilience to climate change in Kenya

Augustus Barasa’s neighbours in Western Kenya are asking what he has done to his fields. Compared to theirs, his are flourishing. Augustus is now passing on what he learned at a Lifeworks training about building resilience to torrential rains.

Augustus lives in the village of Mudindi, near lake Victoria, where he plants maize to feed his family and to take to market. In this part of western Kenya, the rains used to be reliable. The first rains of the year used to be met with celebrations, but now the rains are so intense the soil is washed away and crops destroyed.

Earlier this year, a friend of his attended a Lifeworks training and learned how to make soil enhancing products in just 18 days. He told Augustus of the effect this approach had on his kale crop in just one growing season. So Augustus signed up for the next training and promptly made and applied the compost and serums to his crop.

And then the rains came, heavy and for days on end. Anxiety among the local farmers grew – they feared their crops would not survive. When the rains stopped, many found their crops battered and much of their soil washed away. But Augustus’ maize stood tall and firm, and his land remained as it was before. Even he could not believe his eyes.

Now, armed with resources from Lifeworks, Augustus has learned how to pass on the training to his neighbours. The village is full of hope and farmers no longer fear the rains.