0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- 888- - 888
0:00:03 > 0:00:07- It's a new season here on the patch - and I have done a bit of work.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12- But I have to stop, because - I'm going away for a few weeks...
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- ..to see other people's patches - on the other side of the world.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20- How they grow vegetables - and what animals they keep.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25- 888
0:00:30 > 0:00:32- 888
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- 888
0:00:49 > 0:00:54- Before I go to Africa, - there are a few jobs to do.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01- This will be the longest - that Jen and me will have been apart.
0:01:02 > 0:01:07- I'm leaving her and Bleddyn - for three weeks and I'll miss them.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08- Will you knit while you're there?
0:01:08 > 0:01:10- Will you knit while you're there?- - I'll take it with me.
0:01:10 > 0:01:11- It'll be something to do.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- It'll be something to do.- - I'm a home-loving lad.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19- I've never travelled far. - Maybe it's time I did.
0:01:20 > 0:01:21- Champion.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- I've made an album - of photos of Bleddyn.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- It'll be a huge experience.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- Life can be difficult - anywhere in the world.
0:01:34 > 0:01:39- In Africa, there's a lack of rain - and it can be very hot.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44- It'll be interesting to see - how they overcome these things.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49- As here, there's always an answer - to a situation.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- I don't know what their answers are. - We'll see.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56- Enjoy yourself. Take care.
0:02:00 > 0:02:06- The charity Christian Aid - helps people in developing countries.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11- Branwen Niclas works for the Wales - office and is taking me...
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- ..to see one of the projects - that they support in Kenya.
0:02:16 > 0:02:17- I don't like flying.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23- I was glad to talk to Branwen - on the plane to take my mind off it.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27- I also tried to learn a little - about our destination.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- We're flying to Nairobi...
0:02:31 > 0:02:36- ..then driving to the small village - of Riiacina in the Mbeere district.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- Have you been to this area before?
0:02:43 > 0:02:48- No, I've never been to Kenya, - apart from the airport.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- But I do travel a little - with my work...
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- ..which is always enjoyable, - for several reasons.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00- It's a chance to see - the work being done...
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- ..and the people - who benefit from the work.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11- You also see where the money - collected back home is spent.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17- People go to a lot of trouble - to raise money.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24- Over 80% of Kenyans - depend on agriculture or the land...
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- ..for their livelihood.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- It's important - that it's sustainable...
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- ..bearing in mind - such factors as climate change.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- It's difficult for them.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42- September 2009
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- The last big drought in Kenya - was in 2009.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51- Things have improved, but some areas - are having problems again...
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- ..including the area we're visiting.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57- Despite their difficulties...
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- ..the Muchiri family - were very keen for us to visit.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- Riiacina is a village - of about 100 houses...
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- ..scattered across - a large, hilly area.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- The 15-strong Muchiri family - lives on a smallholding.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- They depend on the land - for sustenance.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22- Ooh, it's hot!
0:04:22 > 0:04:24- You wouldn't believe it.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28- That's why there's a step - around the house.
0:04:28 > 0:04:34- As the sun moves in the sky, - people sit in the shade.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- In the morning, - they're in the back.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- They're at the side - in the afternoon...
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- ..then here when the sun - is in the back.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- All these small buildings - have a purpose.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53- They look like mud huts to us, - but they're vital on a small farm.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- The toilet isn't quite - what I'm used to...
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- ..but if you've got to go, - you've got to go.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09- There's a sad story - behind this building.
0:05:09 > 0:05:15- The husband of the farm - had a second wife, but she died.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- She had five children.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- The children live in this building.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- But the new wife - has five children too.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- They live in the other house.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39- These two huts - are for the adult sons.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42- One of them has two children.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- The kitchen has its own building.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- They cook on an open fire.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59- This building is very important - for the farm.
0:05:59 > 0:06:05- They store the crops they grow here, - such as wheat, sweetcorn and peas.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- But sadly...
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- ..it's empty now.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- They had a dry year last year.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24- A lot of the food - that they hoped to grow...
0:06:24 > 0:06:29- ..didn't grow at all, - so this building is empty.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- But the way they've built it - is interesting, on posts.
0:06:33 > 0:06:39- This prevents mice - getting at the stored foods.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45- It also creates shade - for the hens and ducks.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- My chicken shed at home - is also above ground.
0:06:50 > 0:06:55- I can use the space - under and above the shed.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- Rats can't get inside.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- There are brains - behind this building.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- Do they go here? There?
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- They go here?
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- They go on their own.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- The only water in the house - is rainwater collected from the roof.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- But the tank is empty...
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- ..so they have to go to the river - with donkeys to fetch water.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- That's the first job every day.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- Branwen and I are going with them.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- They've got a lot of work - to do every day.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48- The donkeys have been to fetch water - at least once already.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- There's a lot of work to do - to prepare for the day.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- They have to do this every day.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- As you see, it's very dry.
0:07:57 > 0:08:03- There aren't many places - where they can get water.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- It's been a hard time for them.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- The weather - has become so unreliable.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16- They're used to having - a wet and dry season.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- But in the last rainy season - before Christmas...
0:08:21 > 0:08:27- ..they only had three days of rain - instead of two months.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33- It's very hard for families - to prepare for that and get food in.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- After a mile's walk, - we arrived at this vital spot...
0:08:40 > 0:08:41- ..the River Tana.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48- There's more water in the river - than I expected.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49- Everyone comes here.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50- Everyone comes here.- - I'm sure.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- The River Tana - is important for the area.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04- It's busy here all day. - People can have a chat.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09- There's plenty of fun - while doing the chores too.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- BACKGROUND CHAT
0:09:25 > 0:09:26- Oh!
0:09:38 > 0:09:40- LAUGHTER
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- The system of fetching water - may be primitive...
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- ..but even here, - there's a phone signal.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- There are hardly any other mod cons.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- There's no electricity - and only a few shops along the road.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- That job is done.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- Getting the water - is hard work in this heat.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- It can get even hotter.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24- Without this water, - they couldn't live here.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29- They can't move closer to the river, - because other people live there.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34- They have to live - in places such as this.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- Thank goodness I'm not a donkey.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01- I've started to knit a hat - to show them.
0:11:10 > 0:11:11- Good lord!
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- Surrounded by women.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16- Dangerous.
0:11:20 > 0:11:26- I began to knit and they all flocked - to see what I was doing.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32- Two purl.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- CHATTER
0:11:38 > 0:11:40- LAUGHTER
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- Great! I might finish the hat - before I leave.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51- But there's plenty of hard work - in store on the family's patch.
0:11:55 > 0:11:55- .
0:11:58 > 0:11:58- 888
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- 888- - 888
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- I've come to see - the Muchiri family's patch...
0:12:08 > 0:12:13- ..half an hour's walk from the house, - to see what kind of land they have.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- I know that drought - has been a problem.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- I'll do a bit for you now, yes?
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- Oh, it's hard work.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41- The soil is rock hard.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- But there's a reason - why they grow food here.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- This area is an island - between two rivers.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56- They're going to transplant - small tomato plants here.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- But they need water.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- That comes from the rivers - on either side.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06- Getting water here - incurs fuel costs.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12- Pumping the water a long way - costs a lot more...
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- ..so they grow crops near the river.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- I'd better carry on, - because I'm holding him up.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28- In an unsettled climate, proximity - to a river also has its drawbacks.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- Last July, they had terrible floods.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- SPEAKS LOCAL LANGUAGE
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- In the floods, - my crops were inundated...
0:13:41 > 0:13:46- ..and I lost my machines - and watering pipes.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- The floods were very serious - because we had no warning...
0:14:01 > 0:14:06- ..that the power station was going - to let water out of the reservoir.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16- Later, we pass the reservoir - that caused the floods.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- It's hard to believe - that all this water...
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- ..generates electricity - that's just sold abroad.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- None of the water or electricity - reaches the local people.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- After the floods, - things went from bad to worse...
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- ..with a very dry period.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- The family lost crops and animals.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42- Since then, along with others - in the area, they get help...
0:14:42 > 0:14:46- ..from one - of Christian Aid's partners...
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- ..CCS, the Christian Community - Services of Mount Kenya East.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52- Hello.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- This is a CCS training centre.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03- They offer training and aid - to local farmers.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- They do all sorts of things here, - from cooking courses...
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- ..to introducing stronger breeds - of hens and goats...
0:15:11 > 0:15:16- ..and experimenting with seeds - that can survive periods of drought.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- They have sent us - to see the plants in the garden.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- I don't know their names!
0:15:31 > 0:15:33- What is this?
0:15:33 > 0:15:38- This is Amaranthus. - It's called Amaranthus Terere here.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44- We have this back home, - but in the flower garden.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- We use it as an ornamental plant.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- It's grown for food here.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52- Its seeds are used...
0:15:53 > 0:15:58- ..to make a drink - that they call porridge.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01- It isn't like our porridge.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- I've tasted it, and these seeds - are full of protein.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- They're very good - as food for children.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- I think I saw a papaya tree.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17- Papaya is an easily - digestible fruit.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24- It has a lot of vitamins, - so it's nutritious for children.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- I'll have to give Bleddyn papaya.
0:16:28 > 0:16:33- They grow a lot of fruit - and vegetables here...
0:16:34 > 0:16:40- ..to show people the type of crops - that can resist drought.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- There are even mangoes over there.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- Yes, of all shapes and sizes.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50- The fruit tastes so different.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- Yes, and look at that colour!
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- And the marvellous smell.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01- We grow plums and apples.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06- Imagine being able to go - to the garden to pick a mango!
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- Have you seen these before?
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- I think I have. Are they nuts?
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- Yes. How did you know?
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Peanuts. I've seen them before.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24- People back home - think that nuts grow on trees.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- Of course.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- Peanuts grow in the soil.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- The name suggests - that they belong to the pea family.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34- Really?
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- Really?- - Yes. This plant is a legume.
0:17:37 > 0:17:42- The leaves are very similar - to a pea plant.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52- This is one - of the most important areas.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58- This is where they show people - how to grow millet.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59- Right.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- Millet is a very important - and valuable crop.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08- It's a staple in many African - countries and can resist drought.
0:18:08 > 0:18:08- Is this millet?
0:18:08 > 0:18:09- Is this millet?- - Yes.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15- I thought it would be longer. - I've seen it in budgie cages.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17- This is a different millet.
0:18:18 > 0:18:24- They use it instead of things - such as bread, potatoes or rice.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- This kind is higher in nutrients.
0:18:28 > 0:18:33- Oh! You've taught me - something about millet.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37- You've taught me - much more on this journey!
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- Look. What a shame.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- This is a good example - of how plants can't survive...
0:18:44 > 0:18:46- ..in hot, dry weather.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- Watermelons usually thrive here.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57- If the rain had come, - they would have had a good crop.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03- But this centre is here - to educate people.
0:19:03 > 0:19:08- It's a good lesson - - people can see what can grow...
0:19:08 > 0:19:13- ..and what they should grow - when things become difficult.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20- Things are starting - to get difficult again in Kenya.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- SPEAKS LOCAL LANGUAGE
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- The paper has a photo of a cow - starving because of the drought.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- It's eating sand instead of grass!
0:19:39 > 0:19:43- This page shows that many animals - have trouble getting water.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- We heard yesterday that seven people - have died because of the drought.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- That's the situation in Kenya now.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- It is serious.
0:19:57 > 0:20:04- We at CCS have strategies to help - communities to avoid starvation.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16- On the way home, I began to see - how precarious the situation is...
0:20:16 > 0:20:21- ..and why this support - is so important to Alvan's family.
0:20:21 > 0:20:26- I was very glad to plant tomatoes - with them the following day.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- This patch of land is their nursery.
0:20:39 > 0:20:45- At home, I'd plant tomatoes - in the greenhouse or a polytunnel.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50- But it's warm enough here - and close to the river...
0:20:50 > 0:20:55- ..so they can get enough water - to keep the young plants alive.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- Today, I'm helping them - take the young plants from here...
0:20:59 > 0:21:04- ..over the river to where - they've prepared the land...
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- ..so that the tomatoes can grow.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- You'd think that Alvan - and his family love tomatoes...
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- ..judging by the number of plants.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- But they're not grown - for the family to eat.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30- They're sold, to get money - to buy items such as rice and peas.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- These last longer in hard times.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- I get the donkey work, as usual!
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- Right, we'll go.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48- We had to hurry - before the young plants dried out.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57- The lads had been working hard - to prepare and water the soil...
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- ..but first, - we had to cross two rivers.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19- Carrying the bucket on my head - was a good method.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- Where do you want them? Here?
0:22:51 > 0:22:53- We're doing well.
0:22:53 > 0:22:53- Doing well.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- Doing well.- - Yes.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05- Gardening is relaxing, - wherever you are in the world.
0:23:10 > 0:23:15- Hopefully, they'll get a good crop - in a month or two.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24- In the next programme, - gardening of a different kind...
0:23:24 > 0:23:28- ..when we visit a farm - that grows vegetables for export...
0:23:29 > 0:23:34- ..and an organic garden - in Nairobi's slums.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:53 > 0:23:54- .