In a show of continued solidarity with rural communities in Kenya, a delegation from Mission 4 Changes, a Malta-based charity organization, visited Ugunja Sub County last Friday to assess progress on a water project they are funding and to engage directly with community members. The visit was hosted by Tembea Youth Centre for Sustainable Development, a community-rooted CBO focusing on sustainable development. 

 The delegation, led by Reverend Father Fredrick Asin, was warmly received by Tembea staff at their Ugunja offices before embarking on a site tour and dialogue sessions with beneficiaries. The agenda covered program reviews, leadership evaluations, and grassroots feedback, culminating in renewed commitments to tackle urgent challenges around water safety, farming productivity, and rural energy access. 

Nicholas Ngesa, the Deputy Director of Tembea Youth Centre for Sustainable Development, welcomed the guests. 

"We are truly honored to welcome our partners from Mission 4 Changes to Ugunja," said Nicholas Ngesa, Deputy Director of Tembea. "Your presence here is not just a visit; it's a testament to your commitment to walk alongside communities, listen to their voices, and invest in sustainable change." 

Leadership Earns Praise, Donors Call for Deeper Community Feedback

At the start of the visit, the Mission 4 Changes team held a closed meeting with Tembea's staff to reflect on project milestones and plans. A highlight of the session was the presentation of the leadership assessment results. According to the feedback, Tembea's Deputy Director received a unanimous 5 out of 5 rating, signaling strong trust and satisfaction.

"This kind of endorsement from your team is not just rare—it's powerful," noted one donor. "It confirms Tembea's leadership is driving the organization in the right direction." 

However, the team encouraged Tembea to go beyond episodic consultations and institutionalize structured feedback mechanisms to allow residents to shape and refine the organization's programming continuously. 

They also highlighted the value of community-led research in generating evidence that reflects lived realities, especially as new projects are designed. 

Agricultural Woes Surface as Key Community Concern

When asked about broader community needs, Tembea shared findings from field engagements showing a growing concern among smallholder farmers. Many cannot access critical farm inputs such as improved seed varieties, fertilizers, and planting tools.

"The lack of inputs continues to trap many families in low-yield cycles," 

said Linda Achieng, a Field Officer at Tembea. 

"Despite equipping farmers with various agricultural technologies, sometimes they don't get yields due to inadequate farm inputs."

The visiting team expressed interest in supporting agricultural resilience as part of their evolving partnership with Tembea. Ideas floated included seed banks, cooperative input purchases, and pilot demonstration plots for sustainable farming techniques.

Water Project Hits a Setback, Triggers Swift Response

The field visit moved next to the Tembea-Mission 4 Changes Water Project, where the team inspected water flow systems and conducted pH testing to check for acidity. 

The results, however, showed that the water's acidity level was above acceptable safety standards, prompting immediate action. The project engineer, who was contacted during the visit, committed to draining the unsafe water starting Saturday to avoid health risks for users. 

"Access to water means nothing if that water is unsafe," said a Mission 4 Changes representative. 

To improve water delivery, the group visited the proposed water tank installation site, where it was agreed that a 4-meter water tower would be constructed. The height will allow better pressure and broader reach for the surrounding households. Technical consultations are underway to finalize the build timeline and supplier agreements. 

Solar Solutions and Clean Water Filters on the Horizon

The day's final stretch took the donors to Usung Kodweso, a small village where Tembea supports a dynamic community group focused on sustainable development initiatives and women's empowerment. 

Here, two urgent needs were brought to the delegation's attention: the lack of water purification systems and the absence of basic household lighting due to non-existent grid power. 

"We sincerely thank Tembea for being a true partner in building our group's capacity and always linking us with meaningful opportunities," 

said Caroline Arony, Chairperson of the Usung Kodweso Community Group. 

"Tembea has walked with us for years, bringing us donors like KALRO, who have supported us in developing sustainable agriculture practices. We hope Mission 4 Changes will also choose to walk this journey with us." 

She added, 

"Currently, we face two major challenges. Access to clean drinking water is still a mirage for many of us, and we do not have electricity to power our homes. We are forced to use lanterns that rely on kerosene; sometimes, we can't afford to buy the fuel. It's a daily struggle." 

Moved by the stories, the donors proposed a pilot initiative using one-meter solar kits for basic household lighting. Tembea's Mr. Nicholas was tasked with researching solar kits and water filters—focusing on affordability, availability, and scalability. 

The team noted that small, decentralized systems could offer more immediate relief than waiting for national grid expansion. 

To cap off the visit, the Usung Kodweso community presented the donors with handwoven baskets as a token of appreciation. This gesture was well-received and symbolized the strong partnership and mutual respect between the community and the donors.