Location
Emali town, Makasa area, Nguu location, Nzaui district, Eastern province, Kenya
Community Description
The area is largely arid and semi-arid and the major economic activities are small-scale farming and livestock rearing. The location is 15 kilometers interior from the main highway, and is only accessible via a dirt road.
The region is inhabited by people from the Kamba tribe who are subsistence farmers, who rely on the sale of any surplus crops for income.
Most employment is provided by persons with large farms who need workers. There is no secondary school in the area. A primary school was recently built. Until that time, there was no education available whatsoever.
Very little infrastructure exists, and the people live without piped water, electricity, or permanent housing.
Due to current climate changes this area is seeing longer dry spells and more infrequent, unpredictable, rainy seasons.
Currently, people trek long distances in search of water, most of which is not safe for human consumption. The result is that people are forced to share this unhygienic water with their animals, farms and families.
The usual trend is that people dig shoddy, shallow, waterpans along the river beds to serve their needs. As the water stagnates and is left open to animals, a breeding ground for parasites is created.
Project Description
This project is to construct a shallow well for the community.
The project will be implemented under the auspices of the Mumo Self-Help Group.
With the help of the local water specialists, the group has already secured a good location for the well.
The work will be done by local technicians. The community will provide the unskilled labor, and make the bricks that form the walls of the well.
The walls will be high enough to prevent animal access and will reduce the chance of degradation during the rainy season.
A cover for the well will be constructed to protect the water from the elements and to control the hygiene and sanitation of the water.
Project Impact
The project will directly and immediately benefit the 120 people in 30 families in the immediate vicinity. However, it is expected that many more people from the neighboring areas will travel to the well to access clean drinking water for their families.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Tameisha Henry
Comments
This essential project is bound to have a high impact on a waterborne disease that is prevalent due to polluted drinking water. It uses the appropriate technology, as this type of well in this location is extremely reliable and effective, and is relatively inexpensive.
Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00
Donations Collected to Date
$500.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has now been fully funded through the generosity of The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Tameisha of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by the PCV and/or other projects in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.