Talaso Isacko's Tale of Resilience and Hope

Talaso, selected as a beneficiary, sees this as a lifeline that

promises to alleviate the suffering of her community. The project aims to diversify

livelihoods and introduce alternative means of sustenance, with a focus on adopting

shade net technology for agriculture.

Optimistic about the positive impact of the intervention, Talaso eagerly anticipates a new

way of living through agriculture. However, she emphasizes the need for sustained

support until her community becomes self-sufficient in farming, acknowledging that this

is a profound shift from their accustomed pastoralist lifestyle.

In the midst of the barren desert, Talaso Isacko stands as a symbol of unwavering strength,

facing the challenges of the desert with resilience and a determination to build a better

future for her children and her community. The upcoming project, with its innovative

approach, represents not just a change in livelihoods but a promise of hope rising from

the scorched sands of El Isacko Malla.In

the midst of this unforgiving terrain resides a woman named Talaso Isacko, a mother of

seven who has emerged as the epitome of resilience in the face of adversity.

Talaso's life revolves around raising her seven children—six beautiful daughters and one

young son. However, her journey is far from

ordinary, as she navigates the challenges of

single-handedly managing a household in a

region plagued by prolonged drought, water

scarcity, and the invasion of the destructive

Juliflora tree species.

The Chalbi Desert, with its arid expanse, has

stripped away the traditional means of

sustenance for Talaso's pastoralist community. Once thriving on livestock rearing, the

changing climate has rendered this way of life unsustainable. Talaso, with no formal

education or alternative skills, found herself grappling with the stark reality of providing

for her family in the midst of adversity.

Reflecting on better days, she reminisces about a time when her livestock provided more

than just sustenance—it afforded her the ability to provide three meals a day, send her

children to school, and clothe them. However, the looming shadow of climate change has

altered the landscape of her life, leaving her struggling to put food on the table.

The hardships extend beyond the confines of her home. Water, a basic necessity for

survival, has been a source of daily toil for Talaso. The five villages in the area rely on a

single shallow well for their domestic needs. Queues would form, stretching for hours,

and sometimes an entire day, as families awaited their turn. Talaso, with her one-year-old

on her front and water vessels on her back, would embark on this challenging journey,

leaving her other children hungry in her absence.

The story takes a harrowing turn when one day, in the early hours of the morning, Talaso,

accompanied by her three donkeys and a loyal dog, encountered a formidable foe—a

hyena. Death stared her in the eyes as the wild animal attacked, claiming the life of her

loyal companion and sending the donkeys fleeing into the wilderness.