The Quest for Clean Quality Water
217.898.0425
Caring for kenya
3508 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, URBANA, IL 61802
In 2010 using the recommended drilling site from a geological survey we drilled a 140 meter dry hole. When we were so disappointed Erastus Kavuti said, “Don’t give up. God will provide
water.” A second survey of our school land resulted in no recommended drilling sites. The Kitui West District Agriculture Minister said the idea of developing a reservoir or farm pond on the school land was not a feasible option as a water source.
In a meeting with the Regional Minister of Water, Irrigation, and Geology he recommended that CFK pursue other sites where landowners would agree to a geological survey and sell a piece of property to us. In 2011 the first successful well was drilled. In 2012 with the help of hydro-geologist Dean Ekberg two more drilling sites were identified. When those wells were drilled, tested, cased, and capped, CfK began raising the funds to bring electricity to the sites, purchase pumps, build tank stands, purchase water tanks, build six kiosk distribution centers, and lay the connecting pipes. Caring for Kenya and Healing Hands International partnered with seven U.S. Rotary Clubs along with Thika, Kenya Rotary to apply for a matching grant with Rotary
International. The $116,000 project is near completion with three of the six kiosks currently providing water. When completed, this project will bring clean water to 15,000 people. Clean water close to home will result in less time walking for water and improved health. Since the children will spend less time getting water, school attendance will increase and tardiness
will decrease.
Geological surveys have been done for three more eastern Kenya communities in desperate need for clean water. We are currently seeking donations to help us provide water for Nzawa, Ktihumula, and Masaani. The following comments are a description of the three communities.
Nzawa, Kenya Water Project
Celestine Mutua is a unique example of the care and compassion that many Kenyans have for
their fellowmen. This wonderful Christian woman has single-handedly brought hope and peace to her brothers and sisters in the village of Nzawa. At the heart of the many needs of her village is the absence of clean water. Illnesses and diseases associated with contaminated water are common in the area. An infant who contracts an infection can typically die within 24 hours from dysentery.
Celestine herself was the victim of an amoeba parasite—forced to drink and bathe with
contaminated water collected near Nzawa. After being given a water filter from Healing Hands International that removes 99% of bacterial contamination and the parasites, Celestine’s health
has dramatically improved. She has not had to take medication for the parasite in more than two years. Her dilemma is this: she has shared a few water filters with other families, but she realizes that this is not a long-term solution. There are not enough filters for
everyone and the walk for water uses up many hours each day.
While she waits, hopes, and prays for the opportunity for her community to get clean water from a deep well, Celestine treats her neighbors and friends for diseases and illnesses associated with contaminated water at her small medical clinic with supplies donated by Caring for Kenya and Healing Hands International.
The community of Nzawa is very dry and desperately needs a permanent clean water source. The proposed deep water well is the long-term solution that will provide clean water to the entire
community of 3,000 people. The water well will be located close to Celestine’s medical clinic and close to a hospital, while also providing clean water for schools and families in the area.
Kithumulu, Kenya Water Project
When the dry season comes to Kithumulu, the river that is normally their water source becomes a bed of sand. The community and their school have a long, long walk to find any source of
water. That water source is usually contaminated. A drilling site has been identified by a U.S. hydro-geologist and the Kenya Regional Geologist. Again, a deep water well will drastically change lives of the Kithumulu community and the nearby school.
Masaani, Kenya Water Project
Residents in the village of Masaani often collect water from the Masaani River. When the river bed is dry, the people dig sand pit wells by hand in the riverbed. Masaani River water carries bacteria, which often causes deadly typhoid among the residents of Masaani. A deep water well in this village `would literally change the lives of those who need clean water to survive. In addition it would be a great help to the nearby primary school. In the dry season students often go without lunch because there is no water to cook food.
Moving Forward
Many mothers are faced with the choice of giving their children no water or contaminated water. Help us give them another choice… clean safe water!