The rains have arrived and so has new progress!

Great news from our project sites in Kenya and Tanzania! The long-awaited rainy season has finally arrived, and this is a crucial moment for regreening. Thanks to your support, communities are working at full speed to dig water bunds, sow grass seeds, and prepare the land to capture every precious drop of rain. These rains help bring degraded landscapes back to life — and your contribution makes it possible. 

Digging in action

With the start of the rainy season, digging teams have been busy shaping the land for regreening. Last week alone, 2.4 tonnes of grass seeds were delivered from the Justdiggit Landscape Restoration Enterprises (LRE) store to various bund sites and grass seed bank projects. These seeds will soon be carried by the rains into the Earth Smiles, helping new grasses take root across the dry rangelands.

Through our partnership with MVIWAARUSHA, communities in Oltukai and Engaruka dug 8,636 water bunds across 130 acres of land. In Enkii, the community has already completed 32,400 water bunds and more than 20,000 of them are already seeded and covered. Every Earth Smile plays a role in slowing down water and giving landscapes the chance to recover.

Learning, testing, and growing

The older water bund site at Enkii has now moved into its sustainability phase. Here, we set up an on-field germination plot using seed samples from the Pioneer self-help group. This helps us check seed quality and understand dormancy so that every seed has the best chance to grow.

Meanwhile, the Moilo grass seed bank was reploughed and sowed, bringing excitement to the women’s group managing it. They look forward to a productive season powered by the rains. In Oltiasika, the Maasai women introduced Bush Rye grass, an important indigenous species. This marks an exciting step toward seed diversification and the restoration of native grasses that once covered these rangelands.

With thousands of Earth Smiles ready and seeds already in the ground, these rains will be transformative. Thanks to your support, communities are restoring their landscapes, strengthening local ecosystems, and building a greener future.