“It’s the little things citizens do. That’s what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees.” Wangari Maathai

An astounding soul, Patrick Kilonzo Mwalua, has recently been breaking the internet in the conservation world with this incredible story on how he is making a difference.

Patrick Kilonzo Mwalua Image Credits: Dodo

With the drought currently affecting our country, wild animals have not been spared. The wild life may be resilient and be able to withstand the dry periods, but the rains have since been long overdue resulting to starvation, dehydration and finally death of not only domestic animals but also the wildlife.

Mr. Mwalua is making a difference by delivering water to Tsavo Conservation Area, which is experiencing an unprecedented huge water crisis especially for the wild life.

Not so long ago, a picture  also made its rounds on social media of a man, Mohamed Kusow Farah in Garissa County, giving water to warthogs.

Mohamed Kusow Farah Image Credit: Nairobi Wire

These two instances are captivating as they are also experiencing a lack of the same resource (water scarcity in most parts of the country), but have seen it humane to also give the wild animals in their locality water.

Drought is a case which can be avoided or mitigated as earlier stated, but what happens when the voiceless (wild life) cannot speak, when there is little to no chance of people in authority taking the initiative to seek solutions to the problems?

Amazing souls like Mr. Mwalua and Mr. Farah have shown exemplary efforts to do their part and be of assistance where they can. A Swahili saying states “Tenda wema nenda zako” (Do your part and go your way). That is what these two, and many others who have not been able to get media attention, are doing every single day. Small acts of kindness that go a long way. A massive ripple effect, which most will not realize but they make a difference in a very big way.

What we should all be asking ourselves is who is stopping us from performing random acts of kindness. Many of us don’t want to go out of our way to do ‘little things’. We prefer delegating most, if not all, issues to people in authority because we have come to believe that they are the ones responsible. What we should always remember is, we are a part of this country, of this world and it’s our duty as individual citizens, members of this earth, to also play a part.

My little thing is writing about wild life and the environment, so that everyone may get to read and know about them and the challenges that affects them and hopeful seek to protect, preserve and conserve our natural resources.

What’s your little thing?

You too can make a difference.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi