When Jeputala village saw their neighbors selling fresh produce in the middle of the dry season, they asked Kindle to help them start a treadle pump irrigation club. With guidance from Kindle and one of our partners, they got organized, made a down-payment on a pump, and started a garden.

When someone from Waulesi Trust (not its real name) saw the garden, he offered more help. But only if the village agreed to allow Waulesi to claim credit for establishing the club and also agreed to stop working with other organizations. They accepted the offer, so we returned their deposit, reclaimed the pump, and the last I heard they were still waiting for Waulesi to bring a new pump.

A field trip to a nearby cooperative irrigation club. We took representatives from all of the irrigation clubs in our area so we could learn about better ways of growing and selling the produce.
A field trip to a nearby cooperative irrigation club. We took representatives from all of the irrigation clubs in our area so we could learn about better ways of growing and selling the produce.

Honestly, sometimes it seems development workers are the biggest barrier to development! We need to identify & support those people and ministries that have energy, wisdom, patience, and genuine concern for people. We see these qualities in the people at Kindle, and support for Kindle really does translate into caring for those in need.