Catherine Nakalembe

So in order for us to know what the satellite is measuring and what the true value is, we need sensors on the ground.

And in the U.S.

and in Europe and in India, there are huge calibration networks.

that are part of this mission planning, et cetera.

So when the satellite launched, when the data start coming in, they can calibrate and know what the true value of what is at the sensor is for what is on the ground.

But guess what?

There's not a single station in Africa.

Yes.

There's not a single reporting live station in Africa.

There was not a plan for like a calibration infrastructure for this upcoming mission that is amazing for the whole continent, where the biggest burden of drought is, I should say.

And so, because I knew about the mission, et cetera, and I worked on drought, I have a PhD student who's working on drought.

The plan was,

We're going to make sure we have some sensors in the ground before the satellite launches.

No funding.

So I buy four stations.

with my, what do you call it, leftover money.

So I brought one when I was in Nairobi.

We have a station in Uganda, in Karamoja, actually, installed by my favorite oldest friend who took me everywhere when I was doing my PhD with a farmer there.

We have one in Tanzania with my friend that I worked with at Sokoina University.

We have one in Kenya at my friend's friend's farm.