One of the most important visitors to Tsavo West National Park is Patrick Kilonzo Mwalua, better known as “the waterman”.
This kind-hearted soul drives a truck for hours to transport approximately 3,000 gallons of fresh water.
As soon as he arrives at the location, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and zebras rush to get their hydration.
They recognize the Aquarius by the sound of his truck’s engine, which announces his arrival.
“There is no water here at all, so the animals rely on people,” Patrick said.
The drama that these animals experience has not left Patrick unaffected, who does everything in his power to save them.
Patrick refills the natural wells with water, which have completely dried up in the region.
In addition to filling, they often require maintenance as the buffalo roll there to rid themselves of fleas and ticks.
Many completely thirsty animals can’t wait for the water to get into the well and run to Patrick’s truck as soon as they hear him coming.
“Last night I found 500 buffaloes waiting at the well.
When I arrived they could smell it.
The buffaloes came towards us and started drinking water while I was standing there. They were very excited.”
His work really has no price.
Patrick is a local farmer who came up with the idea of bringing water to the wilderness given the conditions in his home region. Since last year, many of the animals have been dying of thirst.
This humble man uses his truck to bring vital fluids to those who need it most.
“It doesn’t rain like it used to. It hasn’t rained since June last year, so I started giving the animals water because I know they will die otherwise,” Patrick complained.
This man also has a conservation project called Tsavo Volunteers.
He visits local schools to educate children about wildlife and his heritage.
“I was born here, surrounded by wildlife and I am very passionate about it.
I decided to raise awareness so that when these children grow up, they protect everything that is around us”.
Last year he rented the truck and brought water to various places in Tsavo West.
“The truck is heavy and doesn’t go very fast. You have to be patient and deliver the water,” he said.
His kind work has reached the ears of many people around the world and has spread to the United States, where three women who don’t know Patrick personally are helping him stay afloat.
When Angie Brown heard about the current drought in Kenya, she reached out to Cher Callaway and Tami Calliope on Facebook.
The three decided to work together. Callaway had already worked with Patrick at a distance several times.
“His commitment to wildlife and his legacy is enormous.”
Callaway created a GoFundMe page that has raised over $450,000 worldwide.
All proceeds go to the water distribution service led by Patrick Mwalua.
It is hoped he will be able to purchase his own truck soon.
Patrick deserves a new truck and more, the work he does is truly admirable.
He is a quiet hero who cares for the wildlife that suffers daily from climate change, drought and other threats.
Unfortunately, humans have contributed a lot to the decline of their habitats.
But fortunately there are also angels like him who give us back our faith in humanity.
Would you like to help with this beautiful work?
There is a campaign on GoFundMe to support this initiative, which brings so many benefits to our planet and changes the fate of many animals fighting for their lives.
Humans are endangering many species and it is time to act before it is too late to reverse the damage.
This humble man deserves all our admiration and recognition.
