August 05, 2004
Desktop Photo #2 - Sweet Peas
Here’s another photo that is sized for use as a desktop image. This time, however, there is a story to go along with it.
Worldvision focuses on four main areas of development: Food, Water, Health and Education. While visiting the Worldvision Doldol ADP (Area Development Program), we were exposed to each of these sectors. On our first day, we visited a farm of a man who had had water for irrigation for several years. He showed us his crops and shared with us how much Worldvision has helped him. Sweet peas, which he is holding in the photo above, are grown strictly for export. They are referred to as a “cash crop” because they bring income. This may sound strange, but most farmers here don’t grow crops to sell, they eat everything they grow. Maybe a little bit of leftovers will be taken to the market, but otherwise, there isn’t water available, seeds are expensive and there is often drought which makes it hard to even grow enough for them to eat.
Our first thought when hearing about a village getting running water for the first time was about sinks, bathrooms, etc. Very few places have “flush” toilets - try a hole in the ground. The saying, “water is life”, however isn’t referring to flush toilets and sinks. Water enables farmers to grow crops, earn money and provide for their families.
Worldvision has partnered with local communities to bring water to farmers. These farmers are then able to grow things such as sweet peas, which require a lot of water, and export them. One farmer we met had just finished his first harvest since having water. It was the first income he had earned in his life - a total of 40,000 Kenyan Shillings, equivalent to about $500 USD. There are three growing seasons in the year, so if his other two are as successful this year, he will have an income of $1500 this year. This enables him to provide for his family, start saving some money and invest more in his farm - currently everything is planted and harvested by hand.
The farmer whose hands you see, is the first one I mentioned. He has had water for several years now. His farm has grown and he has hired a few neighbors to help him harvest the sweet peas for export. So, he has now provided for his family and is helping to provide for other families by hiring them to work for him. Indeed, water is life in this dry community.
Below are the desktop sizes that I have made available. If you need a size not listed here, leave a message in the comments and I’ll do what I can.
P.S. Happy Birthday, Eric!
Posted by slvrfrg at August 5, 2004 10:21 AM