Dry heat wafts over the cracked ground, covered with rocks and thorny trees that provide little shelter from the sun. Though there are a few clouds in the sky, rain is unlikely, as this has been one of the most disappointing rainy seasons in Kenya in nearly 10 years. Rough, meandering roads that weave around hills and through ravines lead to a rural school, where the children wear bright yellow Oxford shirts and call out greetings in practiced English. A short footpath up a hill lined with cactus and more underbrush leads to the home of Mama Selina Chepochekeyech.

Drought is nothing new to Mama Selina and her family, who live in western Kenya’s Rift Valley, in a small village called Batei. But this year’s drought has been more severe than usual, and Mama Selina and her seven children suffer because of it. “The only problem that I have is food,” says Mama Selina, who doesn’t know her age, but guesses she is in her early 30s. “In the past the rains were more and you could get something from the land. But now I cannot plow and get anything from the land.”

Though she says food is the only problem, food has created a domino effect of problems for the family. Mama Selina’s children are ill, most of her livestock have died and she walks hours to gather water from the river.

Early Marriage
Last year, in desperation for food, she and her husband, Thomas, 50, agreed to a paltry dowry of a few goats for their oldest daughter, now 15, to be married to a local man double her age. Their daughter, also named Selina, is now three months pregnant with her first child.

Marrying off their daughter seemed like the only solution for Mama Selina and Thomas — one less mouth to feed, much-needed livestock, and the opportunity for Selina to eat better in the home of her new husband. But Selina, still struggles with hunger. “Often I’m very hungry and I only eat leaves,” she says.

While Selina seems happy and playful, like any young teenager, her light-heartedness belies her sadness. “I was not happy when I was married,” she says. “I wanted to go to school.” Tragically, this short-term solution may have a devastating long-term impact on this girl who no longer has a chance at an education.

Dying Animals
Mama Selina and Thomas raise goats and chickens, and when there is enough rain, they also grow maize. But the drought is hindering the growth of crops, and it is killing the animals as well. “Ten goats have died in my house,” says Mama Selina. Many of these were the ones received for her daughter’s bride price.

Mama Selina collects firewood to make charcoal and sell at the local market. She does this as part of her daily two-hour task of gathering water.

Daily Hunger
The aching hunger and desire for education for her children drives Mama Selina to continue finding ways to earn money while the drought drags on and her animals, the best source of income, die.

The family eats mostly ugali, a plain, porridge-like dish made from maize. “When I get more money, I can buy beans,” says Mama Selina. If maize or money for beans is in short supply, they eat wild fruit or leaves from the thorny trees and bushes around their house. This fruit is difficult to collect, very bitter and inedible, unless boiled for 12 hours in water that is scarce in an area challenged with severe drought.

Thinking about the next day or even the next meal is too overwhelming. Even the children have stopped begging her for more, knowing that there isn’t any. “They’re used to living like that,” Mama Selina says.

One Small Hut
While hunger and the drought are the most pressing difficulties for the family, housing is also a source of stress and anxiety. There is only one small, stuffy hut for everyone, so hot inside, that only the goat sleeps in it.

Because the roof of her house is thatched, Mama Selina must maintain it every day, as the elements take a toll on her shelter. “When there’s grass, I can put it on top,” she says. But the drought has made grass scarce, and it’s difficult to find time to collect housing materials when so much time is taken by finding food and ways to earn money to care for the family. She also worries about the security of their few possessions.

Sanitation and Hygiene Challenges
Lack of sanitation also contributes to the poor living conditions for Mama Selina’s family. They do not have a latrine, and though Mama Selina says no one has gotten sick from the river water, human and animal waste contaminates the water in the puddles, creating generally unsanitary conditions.

Mama Selina is careful to boil the river water before drinking it to prevent illness, but there simply isn’t enough water for bathing or cleaning. “I normally bathe the kids once a week,” she says. She uses just one cup of water per child. Their clothes are dirty and unwashed, as are the dishes out of which they eat.

“God, help”
Mama Selina’s resignation and dwindling hope are evident in the way she speaks about her wounded faith. “Before, I was going to church, but I have not prayed for my family,” says Mama Selina. She says her prayers are simple: “I just believe and say, ‘God, help.’”

When asked what she prays for, she hesitates and speaks slowly. “I just believe that God will help me one day get some iron sheets and build my house.” Praying for a house implies Mama Selina’s larger hope of more animals, all of her children sleeping safely under her roof and enough food for everyone to live healthy and well.

You can help families like Mama Selina’s by making a donation today. The Canadian Government will match donations made up to September 16.