Aiming to Make a Difference – No Water No Life

Interviewee

Agnetta Jeptoo

CABESI assistant; and student of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations)

Interviewers

Alison M. Jones

NWNL Director and Photographer

Bonnie Muench

Photographer and Book Designer

Kapenguria, Kenya, on January 13, 2013

Introductory Note

Agnetta was introduced to NWNL by Rolf Gloor founder of CABESI, a program sponsoring local development projects. This enthusiastic young lady is a great example of youth being committed to making a difference in their community. She is also keenly aware of the importance of availability of water to a better future for her local community. NWNL applauds her commitment to a better world and wishes her luck in all that she attempts to do.

Outline

IMPORTANCE of WATER AVAILABILITY
GROWING UP IN MARAKWET
MAKING A DIFFERENCE BY HELPING

Key Quote As long as I’m working and can somehow be earning money, I want to work with an NGO. I want to help the people. At the least, we can help them take care of essential things like water taps that are broken. Eventually those people will get clean water. – Agnetta Jeptoo

IMPORTANCE of WATER AVAILABILITY

NWNL Rolf and I have just chatted about the importance of water to every community. What are your impressions?

AGNETTA JEPTOO Sometimes, people in this region fight over water. Often folks from different groups will mingle and then, when they get drunk, they do things without thinking. Then, maybe one is killed from the other community. The fight begins there.

NWNL Foregoing fighting as a form of resolution, what is the best approach to providing clean fresh water for everyone here?

AGNETTA JEPTOO Nearby, in Marakwet where I live, there really isn’t a problem with water.

NWNL Right. I’m really thinking more about the Turkana people.

AGNETTA JEPTOO I think the boreholes [wells] are more important than any other solution because they are the best source to provide water in some areas. Not everyone has them, but some places are getting water from the boreholes set up with funding NGOs. Thus, I think that water is the greatest help.

There are some places in Turkana where cultivation can be helped with irrigation of crops. And some groups also help by supporting irrigation during droughts. Otherwise, people can die when there’s drought.

In Marakwet, there are places that are very dry. Yet, during rainy season, things like sorghum, cassava and arrowroot can thrive and help feed the family.

NWNL Is education provided for farmers here?

AGNETTA JEPTOO There’s really no education for that because for instance, with sorghum, you just spread it randomly and then you irrigate. Then it grows. Of course, you must take care of your crops because of the birds. Plus, this is a dry place.

NWNL Agnetta, how do you assess the importance of water?

AGNETTA JEPTOO Water is life. Water is just everything because you can’t even eat without having some water to drink. You can’t cook without water. Everything is just water.

GROWING UP IN MARAKWET

NWNL Tell me about your education.

AGNETTA JEPTOO I studied in Marakwet from Class 1 to 8. I finished Class 8 in 2004. Then I went to secondary just around here from 2005 to 2008 when I finished Form 4. Then I got a grade of B and became qualified to be sponsored by the government. So, I could go for a bachelor’s degree program. But, of course, money is a problem – as always. So, I took a diploma course because it was a bit cheaper. I studied in business information technology and finished November last year. Now I’m looking for an attachment internship for three months. Then I will finish my course.

NWNL Congratulations.

AGNETTE JEPTOOL Thank you very much.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE BY HELPING

NWNL And what do you want to do with your life, eventually?

AGNETTA JEPTOO I just want to be a bit independent so I can help my family and help other people from anywhere I am. I don’t care which tribe or which place someone is from. I want to be able to help anyone that I see who has a problem and who I am be able to help. That is my wish.

NWNL How will your schooling or your career help you assist others? What career are you hoping to follow?

AGNETTA JEPTOO It’s not yet fixed. As long as I’m working and can somehow be earning money, I want to work with an NGO. I want to help it work properly with the people and help them. When I was in high school, I worked for a professor. During my lunch hour, I would meet people who are starving. Then, I had about 100 shillings per day. So, I could take 30 shillings for my lunch, 20 shillings to give to someone else, and then 50 shillings for shopping for dinner at home. That is how I’ve been helping, because that is all I had to help.

NWNL Consider somebody saying to you, “Here is a job about water. We will pay you to tell us how to better supply freshwater for everybody.” What would you do to be most effective, if you were being paid?

AGNETTA JEPTOO Perhaps I could write for them and set up organizing? I’ve been organizing almost everywhere I go. I like doing that and I could do that.

NWNL What do you see as the best approach companies or non-governmental organizations [NGO’s] can take to improve water availability, so everybody has clean, fresh water right where they live.

AGNETTA JEPTOO One great important point is to educate people on how to keep their machines working properly. People can be tempted, but they shouldn’t destroy technology just because sometimes it doesn’t work – for instance, taps [faucets] that are broken. At the least, we can help take care of essential things like water taps that are broken. Eventually those people will get clean water.

NWNL Yes, education is important for people with taps, or faucets, that don’t work. But what about people that don’t have taps? What about the Turkana people who live in the desert?

AGNETTA JEPTOO The local people are helped by boreholes that are prepared and put in for them. They help, but it seems that these boreholes can’t be installed just anywhere – only where there’s water underground.

NWNL Of course. You and Rolf are both certainly helping your community.

AGNETTA JEPTOO Thank you. I like laughing and smiling, and sometimes I feel that concern for others is my weakness in a way.

NWNL That is not a weakness. That is a strength. That is your charm, and will help you create a wonderful, meaningful future. Here’s to plenty of laughter and water! Thank you, Agnetta!

Posted by NWNL on May 16, 2024.
Transcription edited and condensed for clarity by Alison M. Jones.

Aiming to Make a Difference Omo River Basin