Gikonyo and Malik are weeding the flower garden in front of their class. The flowers this year have blossomed well with vivid colors. The two boys stand up from time to time to admire their work.
“This plant has a large network of roots!” Gikonyo says to his friend.
“Yes. It looks like the many rivers in the Mau forest that feed into Lake Victoria.” Malik says.
“Do you know the names of the rivers?”Gikonyo asks.
“Yes, Ewaso Ng’iro, Sondu, Mara, and Njoro,” Malik says, counting them off on his fingers.
“No wonder it is the largest drainage basin in East Africa,” Gikonyo says.
“Yes. It is one of the watershed foundations of our country.” Malik says.
“The water, what now?” Gikonyo asks laughingly.
Malik joins him in laughter and explains. “It’s a program that works to make sure that we have access to water, sanitation services, and water security.”
These rivers travel way beyond the Mau Forest providing water for many. It is important to protect the environment and in turn, the water will never run dry.
“I have never been there. I’ll ask my dad if we could go for an excursion,” Gikonyo says as he continues weeding.
“You should go hiking too. Last year our family went to Motigo Hills. Once at the top, we had a picnic, and oh the views of the tea-covered hills were magnificent.” Malik describes.
“Didn’t you get tired from hiking?” Gikonyo asks.
“I did, but once you see that view you forget how tiring it was to get up there,” Malik replies.
“The only site I have been to in Bomet is Tenwek Falls. When we went, our guide told us a legend of a mythical creature that lived in one of the caves below the falls” Gikonyo says.
“Do you think it’s true?” Malik asks.
“Well, it’s a legend. in the past, they were told to scare children or teach lessons, so who knows?” Gikonyo replies, shrugging his shoulders.
The boys both think about this as they collect the uprooted weeds and place them in a dustbin.
After finishing up at the garden, the boys wash their hands with water that is most likely from one of the Mau forest rivers.