Benjamin Franklin stated, “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water,” and for the millions of women and girls who walk up to ten miles every day in search of water, this could not be more true.      Every year five million people die from water-related diseases. Most of them are children under the age of five. That is approximately one death every six seconds. Despite current efforts of the international community, Kenya will not meet its Millennium Development Goals concerning water by the 2015 deadline. Until these goals are met, the 60-70 percent of Kenya’s rural population without access to clean and convenient water will continue to struggle for survival.     Kenya Water Project works in collaboration with local communities and their leaders to develop plans to secure clean water for each community. Communities assess their own needs and identify their resources that can be used for the projects. Communities then choose their leaders and form Community Based Organizations (CBOs), registered with the District Ministry of Social Services, to implement and manage all elements of the water projects.

The Water Project Uses Several Methods:

Rainwater Harvesting: The collecting of rainwater that falls upon a roof and is directed into a sealed tank is one of the most cost-effective and easily distributed water technologies. The UN Water Report states that the “advantage of the technique is that its costs are relatively modest [3,000 USD] and that individual or community programmes can locally develop and manage the required infrastructures.” Borehole Well: Borehole wells are the traditional drilled well that brings underground water to the surface. Although more expensive than rainwater harvesting, they provide more security during times of drought. Spring Preservation: Springs are one of the most reliable sources of water and are often shared with animals. Animal waste pollutes the water and continues the spread of diseases like Typhoid. Building separate access for animals and protecting the spring with walls and stairs secures water’s purity.

We currently have projects in the following locations: Adiedo Kalanya Kanam A&B Koyier-Kamuga Koyugi West & East Oriang North Sakwa Soko Kanyamkago Wadhgone-Nyongo

To support our work: -Donate: For more information e-mail: rra8665@yahoo.com -Sponsor: Ask how your church,  school, or work place can support a village or institution. -Join: Put your name on our e-mail list to receive regular updates.

We Work for Holistic Development
In order to sustainably alleviate poverty, we must address development from several angles.
Kenya Water Project proudly collaborates with the following groups/projects:

1. Marit Women’s Group Scholarship Committee: A self-help women’s group established in 1998 with goals of empowering women and orphans through education and learning life-supporting skills.		2.Grandmothers Circle: Collaborating with the St. Monica’s Women’s Group. Supports and elevates the status of women through economic generation activities.
3.  Bishop Colin Davies Home Craft Center: A place where women and girls ocan learn cookery, tailoring, computer literacy, and business management.		4. H2O for Life: Working with schools for water and sanitation projects.

Water Projects Completed

Three projects received complete funding from the Kenya Water Project donors, a church in St. Paul, some Rotary Clubs, and a grant from Change for Global Change in 2009.  The Adiedo Borehole Project and the Soko Village Spring Preservation Project were both completed in June, 2009.  The Rabundo Borehole Project will be completed this year (2010).

Contact Us

Minnesota Office: Kenya Water Project Rosita Aranita, CSJ 1884 Randolph Ave Saint Paul, MN 55105 USA  (651) 690-7080 (651) 276-4765 mobile (651) 690-7039 fax rra8665@yahoo.com

Kenya Office: CSJ Imbo Community Develoment Organization Mary Lieta PO Box 20-40304 Kandiege, Kenya, East Africa +254-724-827-543 maryoyiera@yahoo.com