The Water Man

Kenya's Tsavo West National Park has seen no rainfall at all since last June. The waterholes have dried up, and wildlife is suffering. But Patrick Kilonzo Mwalua spends hours every day driving a water truck to concrete-lined waterholes in the park to make sure elephants, zebras, buffalo, and antelopes have enough water to survive. Mwalua is not a park ranger, but a pea farmer with a soft spot for animals. When he and his truck approach a waterhole, huge beasts make their way over to relieve their thirst.

Between road trips, Mwalua runs a conservation project called Tsavo Volunteers. The 41-year-old also visits local schools to talk to children about the wildlife that is their legacy.
"I was born around here and grew up with wildlife and got a lot of passion about wildlife," he says. "I decided to bring awareness to this so when they grow up they can protect their wildlife."
Last year, Mwalua started renting a truck and driving water to several locations in Tsavo West. His mission would extend to several trucks, keeping him on the road for hours every day as he drives dozens of hard miles between stops.

A few Americans are raising money to help Mwalua pay for gas and truck costs as he delivers water to wildlife. See how his road trips help the animals at The Dodo.