Toiling Together

Our first stop on the "Project West Tour" was outside Nakuru in the Rift Valley part of Kenya. We visited Farming Systems Kenya, a community-based NGO operating since 1981. I was very impressed with the people working for FSK, and their expertise did not overshadow their immense experience in the area of development. As Amos, the CEO, said, "Anyone can build a water tank. The challenge is the politics behind the project. Who owns the water? Who has access? Who collects the money? How are the local people involved?" As a result, FSK personnel find themselves administering fair elections and waiting for groups to find a common vision... when they primarily specialize in agricultural and water-pumping techniques.

The field of development is as broad or as narrow as you make it. One can easily go into a community and build a water tank in a few days. But will that water tank be managed properly, or will the community be requesting funds for repairs in a year or two? FSK, along with CWS, has chosen to toil alongside with the community to solve common problems. They showed me that they were in it for the longhaul, and I was very impressed and challenged by their example.