05/14/2026
"I live here in Emale village, Kenya. My two children work in Nairobi, but I stay here with two helpers, Lena and Catherine. We take care of four grandchildren. Two of them are twins.
"My 4-acre farm used to be eroded. I didn’t know how to prevent it. I would plant a lot of trees but most of them would become dry. I called my farm the “sand farm” because I was not harvesting much of anything.
"In 2023, I learned from the village head that Utooni Development Organization (UDO) was offering trainings to help farmers adopt new practices and restore the land. When I heard about the activities they were doing, I told my children I wanted to stop working at the market and stay at the farm. They agreed.
"After a UDO meeting, our village formed a village savings and loan association (VSLA) group. The VSLA members made me the chair of the group. From there, the staff from UDO started training us.
"I saved money in the past, but at the end of the year, I would just buy chapati flour in bulk. Now that I’ve been trained through the VSLA, I’ve learned that I should not use those savings to buy flour, but to invest in activities that generate income.
"Even though my son and his wife live in Nairobi, they are part the VSLA, too, and work with me to make improvements to the farm. In 2024, from our savings, we were able to buy a water tank. We are planning to take it to our tree nursery so that we can store fresh water for planting trees.
"UDO trained me on tree growing. Currently I have 3,600 trees in my nursery. Even my small grandchildren, the twins, know how to fetch water and water the trees.
"I’ve planted many trees on my farm, including 510 trees along the fence.
"Because I’m aging, I want to create an environment where I will feel good, and I am creating it. I want my farm to look like Canaan and, more so, like the land of Eden. That’s why I’m planting so many trees. When I hear the birds singing, I feel life. When I see nests on the trees, I feel happy.
"I have enough tree seedlings to share with some of my neighbors. The other tree seedlings I’ll be able to sell and earn income. I will also prune the branches and get firewood for my household. As we continue to plant the trees, we are going to increase the amount of rain that comes to this area.
"Through this project, I planted 100 mango trees, but most of them have been destroyed by elephants. Only 14 mango trees remain. UDO trained us on how to live peacefully with elephants and deter them from damaging our crops. Now, when we know they are around, we come out and shine as much light as possible. The other thing we were trained on is using beehives as a deterrent. I am planning to have many beehives so I can put them around my fence to scare the elephants.
"I bought 10 new beehives. I once used log hives (a traditional method of beekeeping using hives made of wood, placed high in trees), but I had to wait for my son or hired men to climb up and harvest the honey. UDO introduced us to hives that I can place where I can reach them. When the hives are colonized, then I will harvest the honey myself. I know I’ll be able to harvest enough for household consumption, and I will sell the surplus and buy other household products.
"I was also trained on fodder preservation. Before, I would leave my fodder uncovered. Then when it rained, it was risky because the hay could get toxins that would affect my cattle. I went around my homestead, collecting old iron sheets, and I utilized them to make a shed, and I started storing my fodder there.
"And while I used to pick grass from wherever it grew on my farm, I now have a piece of land put aside for fodder. Through UDO, I learned the best time to harvest it, when the grass is still a little green. I’ll be able to harvest enough for my cattle, and I will sell the surplus.
"I was trained on building terraces (raised berms that direct rainwater toward my fields).
"Also, Lena and Catherine (my helpers) and I plant seeds in planting basins and 470 zai pits (holes that collect rain and retain moisture). I’m happy because I know even if the rain will be late, I’m going to get something.
"Also, in my kitchen garden we grow vegetables for our household. Before UDO came, I never thought of producing vegetables in my home. Now I save time and money because I do not trek to the market in search of vegetables. I sell the surplus to my neighbors and save the money I earn.
"So I’m praying that MCC and UDO continue to stay around. Ten years from now, they will find that the trees are big and look better — like Canaan and the Garden of Eden."
Priscillah Mulwa is a farmer in Emale village, Kenya.
MCC/Fairpicture photo/Nyokabi Kahura
