For years, Kenya has been suffering from severe droughts.
This drought is particularly hard on the wild animals who call Kenya home. Many of the animals’ watering holes are completely dried out, leaving them badly dehydrated.
A Kenyan pea farmer named Patrick Killonzo Mwalua decided that he wanted to do something to help the animals in Tsavo West National Park, which is located near his farm. And so, in 2017, the kindhearted man rented a water truck and began delivering water to the animals in the park.
“There is completely no water, so the animals are depending on humans. If we don’t help them, they will die,” Patrick told The Dodo.
Patrick started bringing over 3,000 gallons of water to the park each day. He drives hours every day, filling up tons of watering holes and creeks.
Patrick said that the animals started recognizing the rumble of his truck, and they would come up to greet him. Once, he pulled up to a watering hole and found 500 buffaloes waiting for him.
“They started drinking water while I was standing there. They get so excited,” Patrick said.
People around the world were amazed by Patrick’s dedication to helping these animals. In 2017, three women in the United States set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Patrick to buy his own truck. They ended up raising over $450,000, and Patrick officially got his first water truck!
“His commitment to the wildlife and his heritage is unmeasurable,” Cher Callaway, one of the women who started the GoFundMe page, said. “Even risking his own life in the middle of the night to deliver water to a dry water hole.”
When Patrick isn’t driving around the savannah, he runs a conservation project called Tsavo Volunteers. Patrick also does tons of school visits where he teaches local students about the wildlife in Kenya. Patrick is truly dedicated to helping Kenyan animals.
“I was born around here and grew up with wildlife and got a lot of passion about wildlife,” Patrick said. “I decided to bring awareness to this so when they grow up they can protect their wildlife.”
Patrick also decided to start a conservation group called Mwalua Wildlife Trust. This group works to find sustainable water solutions for both people and animals in Kenya. The group also works with local communities to help them find better ways to conserve water.
One of Mwalua Wildlife Trust’s major projects is putting concrete water pans throughout Tsavo West National Park. These large water pans help prevent water from seeping into the ground. They’re also shallow, allowing animals to safely wade inside them. These pans are a great way to conserve more water for animals.
Over the past few years, Patrick and his organization have done an incredible job at bringing water to suffering animals. If you want to help Patrick and his organization with their lifesaving work, consider donating to the Mwalua Wildlife Trust.
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