Our planet is changing

OUR planet is changing. Weather extremes – prolonged drought, erratic rainfall, hurricanes - are now more frequent and more intense due to the climate crisis. One country that has been experiencing extreme weather is Kenya.

Climate chaos and coronavirus pose a double threat to lives and livelihoods. Kenya is currently experiencing a third wave of the virus and cases have been rising. We might remember spring 2020 for being the sunniest on record in Scotland, but in Kenya the year brought drought followed by relentless rainfall and flooding, which damaged struggling crops. In Kitui, eastern Kenya, eight out of ten people depend on sufficient rainfall to grow crops. Without water, staple crops such as maize and beans wither and die. People can’t earn a living and they go hungry.

People are forced to walk further to collect water. This daily burden robs them of precious time to farm and grow food for their families. Elderly women and children are especially vulnerable on these dangerous journeys and can face conflict as people battle over scarce resources. Cows, sheep and goats are becoming weaker and weaker which means they can’t produce milk or be sold.

Christian Aid has been working in Kenya since 1997. Alongside Anglican Development Services – Eastern (ADSE), we are supporting communities in Kitui county to adapt to drought as well as flooding. ADSE helps communities build earth dams, sand dams and rock catchments, so they can harvest water near their homes. Dams are simple and cost-effective natural storage solutions. They catch and store the rain when it falls, defend against flooding, and free women and girls from making long and dangerous journeys to collect water.

Photos: Tom Pilston

One woman who is experiencing the worst of the climate crisis is Rose (pictured). A grandmother, Rose is an experienced village leader. She also works as a labourer to cover the costs of her grandchildren’s education.

After her husband died in 2006, Rose became ill and was diagnosed with HIV. She says: “My faith has helped me to accept my status and I believe that, with the doctor’s advice, I will live a long life.” Rose’s medication requires that she eats a balanced diet. But the long journeys for water means she can’t farm the vegetables she needs and she goes hungry.

Every morning, she walks six hours to collect water. Once full, the jerry cans weigh 40kg and she needs to carry them in the heat. “We have to walk long distances. We are suffering,” she says. But without a reliable source of water closer to home, she has no choice but to make the arduous journey every day.

Rose remembers her childhood when the rain was reliable and there was plenty of food. She wishes her grandchildren could have the same lives but hopes her sacrifices will give them the chance of a better future. There is an earth dam just minutes away from Rose’s home. But it’s not wide or deep enough for everyone’s needs. It runs out of water too quickly. Rose and her community need a bigger dam to help them capture and store more fresh rain water.

Please pray for Rose and communities like hers during Christian Aid Week (May 10-16). You might consider joining our prayer chain or signing our climate justice petition. Because together we stop this climate crisis.

On the eve of Christian Aid Week, May 9, a special service will take place to mark our 75th anniversary. Please join us as we celebrate what we’ve accomplished together, reflect on the issues we face today and recommit to standing together for a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. ¤