It is an irony of Mayega that for most of the year the sandy soil is bone dry, despite the village being on the banks of Lake Victoria. The lake is the second largest fresh water lake in the World, and the largest in Africa. Of course, water stress limits agriculture and prosperity.

There are ‘long rains’ in March to May, and ‘short rains’ in November and December. But it’s never that simple. Sometimes, there is too much torrential, and damaging, rain, and often the rains will fail. Living in Mayega can be a precarious existence.

The situation at Mayega Children’s Centre is moderated by a piped water supply from the lake. We have a garden, maintained by staff and the children. In dry periods the vegetables are watered but good soakings in the rains makes such a difference.

At the moment, mchicha (spinach), aubergines, pumpkins, and okra are growing particularly well. Patron Isaak is an enthusiastic gardener!