New Zealand's farming expertise looks set to play a role in Ethiopia's battle to avert famine.
The African nation is crippled by drought and hunger - but there's Kiwi influence to try to make it more productive.
The climate is working against Boru. It has already killed his cattle, and will likely kill the crop.
But he is desperate to reclaim a future for his family - using some of the maize donated to them as food to plant a field instead.
"If the rain doesn't continue, it will fail," he said. "But still we have hope."
Their hope is fed by the memory of what this region once was, rich farmland now destroyed by years of drought. A billion dollars worth of livestock has been wiped out.
"I think Kiwis get it. They understand, we also deal with drought in New Zealand, they understand the fickleness of weather patterns, rainfall, landslides, drought and flood and that's what you've got here," said Ian McInnes, CEO of Tearfund New Zealand.
The problem isn't going away so Kiwi dollars are being committed to teaching Ethiopians how to adapt. Starting with the basics - providing seeds to grow drought-resistant crops like beans and peas.
"Once they have crops in the ground, they're eating those and selling those they can afford to buy some goats, get enough goats and they can afford to restock with cattle," McInnes said.
Obviously all of this is part of the long-term recovery plan, but Ethiopia is still in urgent need of emergency relief.
One storage warehouse should be full of aid. Six months ago it was. But donations have dried up as quickly as the recent rainfall and now the lizards have the lease.
Aid attention has been redirected north where conflict rages on. The Ethiopian government is seen by many to be more engaged with rebel forces than famine.
While international focus has been pulled to other crises around the world.
"The message is bring food to this empty store, as simple as this, bring food to this empty store," said Bereket Mogie, of TDA.
Just $150 can feed a family of six here for a month.
A region full of people who feel forgotten, praying they are seen and heard.
Newshub travelled to Ethiopia courtesy of Tearfund for this report.
