Furrows in the Desert (FID) held its 23rd graduation ceremony on 11 December 2025 at the FID Training Centre Hall, marking another important milestone in strengthening agricultural skills and food security in North Turkana.

The event was well attended by the Lobur community, demonstrating strong local support and ownership of the programme. Distinguished guests included Sister Joy, the Guest of Honour, and Father Joseph, Parish Priest and MCSPA representative, alongside community members.

During the ceremony, FID management congratulated the graduates for their dedication and encouraged them to apply the skills acquired to improve food production, household income, and nutrition within their communities. Appreciation was also extended to all donors and benefactors, with special recognition given to MCSPA for its continued support.

All trainees were awarded certificates of completion, and the community presented gifts to the graduates in celebration of their achievements.

FID reaffirmed its commitment to empowering local farmers, strengthening food security, and transforming livelihoods across North Turkana through sustainable agricultural development.

By Maque Falgas

MCSPA Secular Branch

Lobur Mission [Kenya]

Lobur, Turkana North – June 19, 2025

Today, Lobur Mission celebrated with excitement as 22 men and women graduated from the Furrows In the Desert (FID) program, ready to turn Turkana’s dry lands into green fields. In Turkana, where scorching heat and scarce rains make life difficult, most people rely on herding goats and cattle, a nomadic way of life woven into their rich culture of storytelling, dance and community. But with climate change drying up pastures, the need to grow food is becoming a lifeline, and FID is leading the way.

For 5 months, these graduates learned to farm in this harsh semi-arid land, from preparing soil to selling crops and even cooking what they grow. “This isn’t just farming—it’s about changing lives,” said Mr. Munene, FID’s Operations Manager. “These farmers ate their own vegetables, proof they can feed their families and neighbors.” A 2025 graduate beamed, saying, “The work is hard, but it fills my heart. We need help to keep going!” Rose, who graduated in 2023, added, “FID gave me a job. Now, I tell others: transform your villages with what you’ve learned.”

Maque, FID’s Director, shared how the program began in 2009 after a trip to Israel, growing with help from partners in Israel and the MCSPA. She urged everyone to work together, saying, “Our farmers shouldn’t feel alone. Markets like Kakuma are waiting for their crops.” She, however, registered her worries that some might quit farming for quick cash, especially in the fishing villages of Todonyang near Lake Turkana, and asked for support to keep them on track.

In Kaaleng, Sr. Joy said, “Our land is different now—green and alive—thanks to FID farmers.” Sr. Matilda from Kaikor agreed, “Our farms pay school fees and feed families. Kaikor is an oasis!” Fr. Andrew from Lobur Mission called FID a path to peace, saying, “Food is needed every day. Let’s help these farmers sell their crops so they don’t lose hope.” Mr. Benson Thuku, Area Program Manager from Dan Church Aid (DCA), praised FID for teaching skills that fit Turkana’s challenges. “With climate change, we must grow our own food. These young farmers, most around 30, are our future.”

Lobur Mission gave the trainees a home, and DCA plans to team up with FID in Kalobeyei. Maque thanked the staff for their hard work, saying, “Together, we’re showing Turkana what farming can do.” In a land where survival is a daily fight, these 22 graduates are planting hope, proving that even in the desert, life can bloom.

Cosmus Onyango

Senior Apprentice, from Lobur Mission

Today in Lobur mission, the Furrows in the Desert marked the 17th Graduation Ceremony. This time, 14 graduates completed the 6 months of training which marks a full course.

The invited guests including our people from Lobur witnessed the colorful ceremony. Few members and guests were given a chance to say a word of congrats to the trainees, encouraging the graduates.

The term Food Security kept on being repeated by several speakers. The graduates promised to bring to reality what they have been learning at FID in the regions where they come from. Those who graduated came from different parts of Turkana county and one trainee from Nyangatom in Ethiopia, this made a great impression on everyone including government officials who were present during the graduation. May the Peace continue to reign in our region as we all work together in order to produce our daily bread.

Let’s make a green Turkana!!!

Fr. Joseph Githinji MCSPA

The MCSPA launched in 2018 a Pump Maintenance Unit (PMU) with the aim to secure the access to water in Turkana North.

The project is run by St. John the Evangelist, Lobur Catholic Mission. Three years down the line, the project has established itself in the area, where about 60 boreholes (30% of the total) are regularly checked, serviced and repaired.

The local communities contribute with a symbolic annual fee while at the same time are trained at the village level on how to maintain these essential facilities.

During 2020 Lobur Mission signed an ambitious three-year contract with a consortium of benefactors, to Improve the security of access to water and the environment management for Turkana North and Kibish sub-counties, with a total land of 17.500 sq. km inhabited by about 100.000 pastoralists.

The contract will now allow to equip the PMU to maintain not only the pumping facilities but the boreholes themselves, providing an integral service. Additionally to this main activity, awareness on rain water harvesting, environmental care, food security and sanitation and hygiene have now been included in the PMU Programme via Capacity Building Activities.

During the first week of December 2020 the first awareness activity took place at St. Eirin’s Nursery School where the following topics were addressed: desert agriculture practices, organic compost making and vegetable and fruits nutritional values, targeting a shift to a more varied and rich diet for the local inhabitants.

31 neo-farmers (23 women), coming from 11 different villages actively participated in a very intense workshop, with the collaboration of the Furrows in the Desert Programme and the Health Department of Lobur Catholic Mission.

Pablo Moñino, Lobur Catholic Mission

Partners consortium: Prince Albert the II of Monaco Foundation, Slovak Aid, UNESCO, Irish News and Emalaikat Foundation.

All the event was broadcasted live by Radio Akicha Lodwar.
https://www.facebook.com/101004203273481/videos/373448393754088/
https://www.facebook.com/101004203273481/videos/3570004013067449/
https://www.facebook.com/101004203273481/videos/373448393754088/

Videos:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vtbg6xl0ng5ilgk/VID_20201202_154157.mp4?dl=0

Audios with a description of the Project:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/npas0i11iwqw3ct/Audio%201.opus?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/n35tc2g7u2tx4iy/Audio%202.opus?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8vxsdnjz08vso4i/Audio%203.opus?dl=0

It seems like the rainy season has started. In Turkana this means blessings, happiness and good times. This is what we are seeing in the farms of our project Furrows in the Desert.

Our farmers are improving and understanding the good of agriculture. They are able to feed their families, their communities and also to sell the surplus to get income. With that income they can buy the rest of basic needs and even the school fees of their children.

Eight years ago, when the project started, the turkana people didn’t know anything about producing their own food, as they come for a pastoralist culture, now you can see where they have reached. Amazing!!!

Maque Falgás

It seems like the rainy season has started. In Turkana this means blessings, happiness and good times. This is what we are seeing in the farms of our project Furrows in the Desert.

Our farmers are improving and understanding the good of agriculture. They are able to feed their families, their communities and also to sell the surplus to get income. With that income they can buy the rest of basic needs and even the school fees of their children.

Eight years ago, when the project started, the turkana people didn’t know anything about producing their own food, as they come for a pastoralist culture, now you can see where they have reached. Amazing!!!

Maque Falgás

Today in St. John the Evangelist Lobur Catholic mission, we witnessed young men and women graduating from agricultural course offered by the Farrows In the Desert (FID) project.

This was the 12th graduation since the programme begun 7 years ago. Bishop Dominic Kimengich, The bishop of Lodwar diocese presided over the ceremony today.

As a result of this project there are 120 farmers all over Turkana County who practice active agriculture. Fr. Alex gave a brief history of the programme and also acknowledged the efforts of Frs. Paco and Albert who were the brain child of this wonderful initiative in partnership with other Israeli organizations.

The new graguates were encouraged to cheerfully go and put the knowledge they have received into practice for the betterment of their respective villages.

Such a programme under the watch and direction from the MCSPA are alternative ways to eradicate hunger in Turkana region since it gives an alternative source of livelihood and food security.

Fr. Joseph Githinji