Current projects
Water for Makaani
The association ‘Friends of Makaani’ was established to provide ideas and financial support for initiatives started by the Makaani in East Kenya to overcome poverty in their community. The most urgent task is to provide the village with a reliable source of clean water. Water for Life provides the association with funding so that the village can gain access to a public water supply.
A local painter is drawing the Water for Life Logo at the wall of the 'Water Kiosk'
With help from Friends of Makaani, Water for Life and two other organisations, the community
of Makaani has built a water supply with a ‘water kiosk’ in the village centre. With an electric pump (the village has access to electricity!) the water is pumped over a distance of 200 m from the drilled well to a large tank in the centre of the village. This tank is atop a rig and holds 10,000 litres; due to gravity the water is then conveyed to the nearby ‘water kiosk’ and sold to the population. The price of 3 Kenyan shillings per barrel of 20 litres (100 KES = 1.12 CHF) is to cover operating and maintenance costs.
Water for Life’s support will improve the living conditions in this small village and encourage people to plan their day to day.
Update August 2016:
Following project for the «Special Grace Education Center» in Itoloni / Kenya
The two water tanks (sponsored by Water for Life with CHF 2’000.--) provide the children and teachers with water. They allow cooking a healthy meal for the children and help to ensure a proper education. The education center occupied the 16th place in the school district ranking. The nearby public primary school only the 78th position.
Update February 2016:
Water for Makaani
The new water committee has reopened sale of water after a break in June 2015. The system worked perfectly and the demand was large during several months. In November 2015, the pump failed and the sale had to be stopped. Fortunately, it rained in December unusually heavily!
The chief engineer for water management had a look at the construction figured out a part was missing in order to regulate the electrical voltage. Amazingly, some residents of Makaani were willing to assume the cost of this installation. Meanwhile, the sale of water was reincorporated. The County Management promised to investigate the water situation of the municipality.
Following project for the «Special Grace Education Center» in Itoloni / Kenya
The two tanks are a huge relief. They provide students and teachers from the small private primary school with water. The principal, Moses Kathuli, is on expanding his school into a simple boarding school because many students have to cope with a very long way to school.
Letters from students who thank for the donation:
Letter 1
Letter 2
Children of the Special Grace School with porridge and water in the morning
Update November 2014:
Following project for the «Special Grace Education Center» in Itoloni / Kenya
The ex-teacher Moses Kathuli has built a small private primary school for 100 children over the last year, financed by his termination pay from the government. There is no water or electricity in the school area. The children have to bring their water by themselves. During the dry season, this is not possible. So they stay all day without water. Even the cooking of meals is associated with a lot of effort, because the water has to be bought expensively.
The private school of Moses Kathuli is located in the municipality Itoloni, a neighbouring municipality of Makaani. Currently 25 of the poorest children from Makaani attend the Special Grace Education Center. They get a good education (which is not guaranteed in a public school!) and porridge for breakfast as well as a modest meal for lunch.
Water for Life financed the purchase and installation of two 10,000 liter water tanks for the Special Grace Education Center. The Children now get access to safe drinking water and meals can be cooked with their own water. Water for Life transferred 2,000.-- on 2nd October 2014. The installation of the water tank is scheduled for October 2014.
The water in the tanks ranges for 5 months (for drinking and the preparation of the meals). There are two rainy seasons in Kenya, from March to May and from October to December. During this time, the water supply can be replenished in the tank, so the school has enough water for about 10 months.
Water tank of the health center, which works well for two years
Update June 2014:
Clean water is ready to use! (In the picture: Maya Käser - the Swiss representative)
The population in Makaani buys clean water for 3 KES.
The water cans with fresh clean water!
Update March 2014:
Extremely heavy rainfall in Kenya has occasionally interrupted building work. The first company involved in the project has left after demanding, and being refused, more payment than originally agreed. A local NGO subsequently took over the project management, and the central water station is due for completion shortly.
The water tank is ready!
The drilled well with fresh water
Makaani’s villagers lend a helping hand
Update 2013:
The community in Makaani at work
The 'Water Kiosk' with the local responsibles
The (almost) finished 'Water Kiosk' from the right side
