James Ingunza Malondo and Loretta Malondo

"Don't give me a fish, teach me to fish. This pump is our fishing net, our future. Whoever designed this pump had the common man in mind. Thank you."

James is an eloquent speaker with a strong commanding manner. He retired last year at 55 yrs old from teaching for over 30 years. His mud brick house was built from the proceeds earned using the MoneyMaker Hip Pump he purchased October 2nd  2006. The day before, he had leased a small plot of land outside Eldoret and began a new life as a farmer. He farms a half-acre and plans to lease more land as profits from his crops increase.

After James retired, he had no savings, pension or income. Providing basics for his thirteen children, multiple grandchildren and elderly mother was very difficult. Living in the very poor and densely populated village of Vihiga in Western Kenya, poverty was high and opportunity low. Farming was not a good business.

He moved his family to Matunda in 2006, hoping to make a go of farming and create a better life for his family. His small plot was covered with grass and weeds. After seeing a MoneyMaker pump being used at his friend’s farm, he knew it was the answer. He went to the dealer and bought a MoneyMaker Hip Pump that very day. James couldn't believe how   durable and easy it was to operate, and that it did not require fuel. The pump, sprinkler, seeds and hard work got him started.

Only one year later, James and his family are growing vegetables and corn continuously.   He proudly showed us his tomatoes, sukuma (kale), kunde (cow peas - a delicious green leaf similar to spinach); maize (corn) and sorghum they grow for their family and also sell to a vegetable broker. He plans to lease more land the next crop cycle to expand.

"Our neighbors are very surprised that in just one year we are growing all this, as if the plot came with the vegetables," James told us. "I've decided when my next child marries, I will give a MoneyMaker pump and some spare change for seeds. I will have given them all they need."