2024 Rainy Season Driest in 40 Years

Last week we drove into neighboring Botswana to visit the Chobe National Park, one of the great wildlife destinations of Africa. Sydney’s good friend, Emmanuel, works for a safari company, and we were treated to a personally guided tour. The park was wonderfully open and full of roaming animals, but much of the bush and grass that they rely on was brown and parched. As we passed near the river where the hippos and elephants were wading, Emmanuel voiced his deep concern about the severity of the drought: “At this time of year this whole area should be full of water, up to where we are standing.” 

In a normal rainy season this whole area would be green; these few shallow pools would be a large lake.

As rivers dry up and food becomes more scarce, vegetation dwindles and prey dies or seeks sustenance elsewhere. Hippos, who need to submerge completely for many hours each day, are not only unable to cool their bodies, but can also become stuck in the mud in their desperate search for water.

The drought is also impacting domestic animals, including the goats and chickens at Zambezi Farm. So far, the farmers have been able to keep them watered, but it will be increasingly difficult in the next months as the water table continues dropping. The vegetation for grazing is drying and dying, and purchasing feed for the animals may not be possible for these people who, without help, may soon not even be able to afford food for their families. 

In early April, the AACDP will be running a campaign to raise funds to help the whole Mama Bakhita community survive this crisis.

Zambezi Dolls are back!

The drought has halted much of the work at the farm - not only is there very little water, but the excessive heat has become dangerous. So the farmers (who were previously the Zambezi Doll makers) and I are taking advantage of this time to finish up some new Zambezi dolls. It’s so pleasant to sit in the afternoon shade on the Mama Bakhita porch, talking and singing together as we work.

The women also work in the mornings, when their children and I are making art and music. Their skills are still as sharp as they were before they switched from being doll makers to being farmers. As I was watching Exildah stitching the eyes on a face and Prisca trimming a dress I commented "I was afraid you might've lost some of your skills after these years of not making dolls.”

Exildah replied “We can never forget how to make these dolls.“

Drought emergency declared by President of Zambia

Zambezi Farm is facing yet another drought emergency. When I visited the farm a few days ago I could see that the staple maize crop had died in the field. This is supposed to be the rainy season, but it has only rained twice since November. Maize crops all over Zambia have failed. Even if it does rain now, it will be too little, too late.

As it is the major part of the Zambian diet, maize will have to be imported at a huge cost financially, politically and emotionally. The price of mealie meal, the grits-like cornmeal used to make nshima, which most Zambians eat twice a day, has already doubled, and is still rising. The Mama Bakhita families, who all have disabled children, will simply not be able to afford it.

The irrigation systems we added at the farm have helped sustain the other vegetable crops somewhat, but nothing can take the place of rain. The water table has dropped so low that the water we are able to draw from our well is limited. Wells, ponds and rivers all over the country have dried up. And it is hotter than ever…

"The economy is beating us"

We must focus on getting through the current crisis, but also think of ways to combat the steadily increasing impact of climate change. Lack of water threatens the very survival of life in this area.