Patrick, Program Manager and Lead Agronomist
Published on the 28th of October, 2025
Why do I leave the comfort of my home to travel into rural regions? Why take on long, rough drives, sometimes seven or eight hours at a time, spending a week or two on the road?
Each of us on the With My Own Two Hands team has our own reason for doing this work. For me, it’s personal.
I grew up in rural Kenya, where I didn’t always have what I needed. Not enough water, enough food, or even an easy way to get to school. Those challenges shaped who I am and drive the work I do today.
I know what it’s like to walk 10 kilometers for water. Many of our contractors and partners here in Kenya have lived through the same thing. We understand what that life feels like, which is why we work so hard to change it.
Now, I get to see that change every day. I see dry land turn green. I see new homes and farms appearing in communities that once struggled to survive. I see children in school, families harvesting vegetables, and people building brighter futures. It’s an incredible thing to witness and to be part of.
This work also brings deep connection. Wherever I go in Kenya, I know there are people I can call, communities I can visit, friends I’ve made. I’ve learned to connect across different regions, peoples, and tribes. I love being around people and helping them find solutions that truly transform their lives.
When I visit communities for pre-project assessments and hear their stories of long walks for water, I understand them. I’ve lived that life. And I know, with our own two hands, we can help them build something better.
