In Kenya, the Pokot live along the Ugandan border and are mostly pastoralists because there is not enough water or good land to raise any crops. Even so, over the years, drought made caring for their herds difficult and many Pokot wandered into Uganda searching for water. This led to raiding and fighting with the neighbouring tribe.
Last year, Jacob’s Well learned about the water-plight of the Pokot through Pastor Edward Simiyu of Nairobi, Kenya. Edward met Pokot warriors a year earlier while helping with peace talks in Uganda where the battles of the Karamoja vs. Pokot were raised.
During Advent 2007, Jacob’s Well participated in the Advent Conspiracy and raised enough to drill four boreholes. In May, I was able to visit the region with five others from JW just before the new wells were dug.
It is one thing to hear of drought, it is another to see it. And yet, even though the Pokot may eat once a day or not at all and walk long distances for water or go without, these hardships are not what I saw in their faces. Instead, I saw a people – strong, proud, hopeful, playful, joyous.
