Water is life. Without it, everything stagnates; living organisms are on the brink of death. The soil dries out, trees shed their leaves as a survival mechanism, trying to conserve the little water and energy they have during dry periods. But this struggle is in vain if the rains do not come to restore balance. As bare as Kalahari Desert is the regions where water scarcity is a constant issue. No project can thrive without the vital resource of water, and for that reason, it is not just a necessity but an essential, non-negotiable foundation for life and hope in any society.
At Sieku Indigenous Women’s Arboretum, a community hub where various programs run aims to empower marginalized indigenous women, water has become a significant challenge. Here, we nurture alternative survival strategies, create a youth center to preserve traditional knowledge as well as provide opportunities for the next generation to learn modern skills like computer literacy, provide internet access to enable the youth to explore, research, and work remotely. Furthermore, we primarily plants and protect indigenous plants that hold medicinal and ceremonial value, which are threatened by extinction.
However, the scarcity of water hampers our ability to make these efforts flourish. With the limited resources at our disposal, we are doing everything we can to secure a sustainable water supply for the Arboretum. Our goal is to ensure that this project thrives and benefits the community, bringing its vision to life despite the challenges.
