Everybody wishes for or at least strives for that big break in life, it could be through a lottery, an inheritance, success in a business venture, among several other ways.
However, for one family in Kipchomber Village within Kabiyet in Mosop Constituency, Nandi County, theirs came in the form of a visit from one of the wealthiest people and philanthropists on the planet.
As of January 24, 2020, Bill Gates was worth Ksh11 trillion according to Forbes.com.
Laban Talam and his wife, Miriam Chepkemei, were going about their daily lives when they were informed they would play host to Bill Gates and officials from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on December 3, 2009, as reported by The Standard.
"I delivered milk to the cooling plant in the morning in readiness to travel for a graduation in Nairobi, but I was informed some visitors might be coming to my home and that I should hang around," Talam was quoted by the publication.
When interviewed by the media, he could not believe that he had engaged the founder of the world's leading computer software firm, Microsoft.
On that particular day, Talam did not notice Gates being driven into his compound, however, visitors had started gracing his homestead since morning.
"I was at the farm with other foreigners and locals who had arrived an hour earlier when I was called in to welcome a visitor whom I did not recognise," Talam stated.
He gave Gates a tour of his 1.7-acre farm. The billionaire philanthropist was treated to a front-row seat as Talam's dairy cow was artificially inseminated. He drew water from a well using an artificial pulley.
And as they toured from corner to corner; the cattle shed, the vegetable garden, and the chicken hatchery, each time, Gates was inquisitive.
"He wanted to know my future plans, whether the project was profitable, and if the proceeds could comfortably sustain my family," the farmer revealed.
According to the publication, Gates was fascinated by the design of the family's grass-thatched kitchen, let alone the fireplace.
All this time, the Nandi farmer was not aware of Gates' reputation. He had heard of Bill Gates and his foundation, but for the entire time, he did not know who he was engaging.
"For the two hours we played host, we did not know who the visitor was until the last minute," Talam narrated.
"I was shocked when I handed him the visitors’ book and he wrote down his name with a green pen," the farmer recounted.
Gates had been accompanied to the farm by officials from the East African Dairies Development (EADD).
Talam, a registered member and supplier of milk to the Kabiyet Dairies Company, revealed to The Standard that his involvement with the EADD and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation had changed his life, and presented him with new opportunities.
Through the initiative, he learnt new methods and ways of plying his trade.
The foundation funded the EADD in a bid to transform dairy farming families in rural settings.
From that particular visit, Talam and his wife had become celebrities. Farmers from various parts of the country visited his farm, and it was also used by EADD, and sometimes the government, as a case study on dairy farming.
Dairy experts from Germany, the US, Rwanda along with several others from different countries visited his farm.
With the help of the foundation and EADD, the family was taught better farming methods, installed a biogas plant, making theirs a completely organic farm.
From a time when he owned two cows and could barely raise Ksh 15, 000 in a month, currently, he boasts over 10 cows, and 80 litres of milk a day, which he supplies to the Kabiyet Dairy.
Talam also supplies milk to local schools, health centres and yoghurt shops. Delivering milk to the diary company fetches him Ksh 30 per litre while health centres and schools buy at Ksh 32 a litre.
The dairy company introduced a share system, where members who would buy shares would access credit facilities and get free veterinary services.
A share in the dairy company costs Ksh 100 and Laban owns 3,000 shares.
“My aim is to be the biggest shareholder because I have seen the potential of the share scheme. I have started various projects in my area like construction and expanding the acreage under farming due to easier access to credit facilities from the dairy company,” Laban stated.
