This November marks five years since we launched the Tsavo Project in Kenya, and we couldn’t be more excited about the progress we’ve made so far. Just this year, we’ve provided work and training to between 20 and 30 local Kenyans through our Global Angels farm and Eco-Dome Village initiatives. Situated on the hillside below the tree line of the Marungu Hills, the dome offers breathtaking views of the beautiful Itinyi Valley. Visible from quite a distance, its stunning presence is a testament to our hard work and dedication. |
Our team beginning to plaster the walls of Eco-Dome 3, Sept 2024
Eco-Dome 3 Oct 2024. Ground floor kitchen, first floor bedroom, in progress.
Stepping Up: Together We Can Make A Difference
We are doing a lot, but it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the needs of the world. I’ve taken time to reflect on these feelings, address my fears, and re-energize myself to move forward.
I still believe we can change the course of history, in fact, we must. This is not the time for us to play small. We are called to be part a large and growing movement, a community of Angels who care, and are taking action by Stepping Up to make a difference.
Our three eco-domes, nestled on the hillside below the forest. While the outside temperature soars to 33°C, it’s a cool and comfortable 21°C inside.
Reclaiming the Land is Vital for Our Community’s Survival
As we move into the final stages of completing the three eco-domes, we have an immediate need to landscape the land around them to collect and direct heavy rains toward our orchards and water pans below. To achieve this, we’ve made deep swales across the property above and below the domes, ensuring that rainwater is redirected in a way that nourishes the land rather than causes damage.
This may seem like a simple solution, but I want to share why it’s a critical part of reclaiming the land and ensuring our community’s survival. During the short but intense rains, torrents of water rush downhill right across the Valley, carrying topsoil, branches, stones, and debris. Without swales in place, the water barrels down with overwhelming force, creating and deepening gullies. Tragically, in recent years, several women and children from the Itinyi Valley have lost their lives in flash floods.
Deep gully on the roadside near the local school created by heavy rains.
In 2018, we faced a major crisis on our farm when a single downpour turned a small gully beside our poultry houses into a massive one—50 meters long, 4 meters deep, and ranging between 4-14 meters wide. This destruction highlighted the urgent need for flood resistance across the valley. Since then, we’ve been working to build more swales, construct gabions with rocks and wire mesh, and use old tyres to fill the gully and protect our buildings.
In 2018, we faced a major crisis on our farm when a single downpour turned a small gully beside our poultry houses into a massive one—50 meters long, 4 meters deep, and ranging between 4-14 meters wide. This destruction highlighted the urgent need for flood resistance across the valley. Since then, we’ve been working to build more swales, construct gabions with rocks and wire mesh, and use old tyres to fill the gully and protect our buildings.
Creating a Flood Resistant Ecosystem Across the Itinyi Valley
This process has reinforced our belief that, together, we can restore the land and, over time, create a sustainable ecosystem that can resist both floods and droughts across the Itinyi Valley.
Our team making the first gabions to protect our poultry buildings on the left. The gabion became a bridge across the gully, Sept 2023
Strengthening the walls of the gully in front of the gabion bridge, Sept 2024.
Reclaiming the Land: One Gully at a Time
We need 1,000 tyres (£1 per tyre) to line the gully walls beside our poultry buildings, 14 gabion cages with hardcore (£90 per cage), labour to build the gabions, secure the tyre walls and rebuild the gully (£320), total £3,520.
Help us to restore the gully and protect our poultry buildings.
Every donation matters, whatever its size
Donate what you can to buy one tyre or 100 tyres, employ a local worker for a day or 10 workers for a week, or buy 1 rock or a ton of hardcore, your generosity will make a very tangible impact.
Global Angels 100% Promise
Every penny we receive will go directly to build the gabion walls.
Volunteer Trips in 2026 Please let me know if you are interested in joining me on a Volunteer Trip to the Tsavo Project in March, May, July or September. I would love you to join me 🙂
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