Earth Smiles

Earth Smiles are another friendly name for water bunds.

These are semi-circular pits which are about 5m across and 2.5m 'deep'. The idea is that when rain does fall in the sub-Saharan / marginal areas where they are used, they trap runoff and this allows the land to be restored following soil erosion or degradation, and replanted. They are dug by hand, by groups or communities.

Justdiggit is an organisation which helps to dig these important and simple structures which can improve local people's lives. 

They have also created an Android app called Kijani. 

This promises to provide guidance for local people who are farmers, on the construction of bunds and other activity which can help regenerate the ground and reduce the risk of soil erosion.

The application is for smallholder farmers and pastoralists who want to learn and practise easy-to-apply regreening techniques that will help them to restore their land and improve their yield and/or pasture.

A small, hopeful example of work that is being carried out in some parts of the world.

And one of the many examples that will be included in the Discover Geography series.

Through the early part of 2026, I'll be sharing other examples of less well-known examples of hopeful geography that we've woven through the book series.