Clean water for 917 households Kenya

Thank you for your support of this project providing access to clean water for communities across Kericho county in Kenya.  Right now, the news in Kenya is that case numbers of COVID-19 are on the rise and mandatory use of facemasks indoors has returned.  The need to provide communities with the basic right to clean water is so vital and your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated.

One community celebrating the commissioning of a new spring protection at the end of May was Ngariet Community Water Project.  They welcomed a special guest to perform a ribbon cutting ceremony - the Irish Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Fionnuala Quinlan.  This was the ambassador's first visit to the area and she was welcomed with open arms.

This project serves 288 households with a population of 1,712 in Kipkelion East and it looks like every household was represented on the day of the Ambassadors visit!  The project was implented in partnership with the community through cost-sharing which promotes ownership and sustainability.  It is now managed through a locally elected committee. 

'Spring protection' is a construction made to protect a natural spring source where water bubbles to the surface that would otherwise collect in shallow pools and be easily contaminated and difficult for people to access over boggy ground.  Now the community can collect water from a structure that is piped and it is much safer, cleaner and easier than before. 

The community say that changes this water project bring include -

• better health and a reduction in water borne diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid and cholera
• girls get to spend more time at school becuase they spend less time collecting water
• income generating projects increase as families have more time to give to them and because they are in better health they can accomplish more

Future plans to development the project further are to build a large storage tank at the collection point, pipe water closer to households and protect 4 more springs by the end of the year.

Ambassador Quinlan's visit concluded with an offical tree planting to commemorate the day while she met and greeted members of the community and tested the water herself.  Asante Sana and congratulations to all involved!