Mukhonje Secondary School Rainwater Catchment Project – Kenya

Location
Malava, Central Kabras Division, Kakamega North District, Kakamega County, Kenya

Community Description
Malava is in the Western part of Kenya. It is about 3 hours north of Lake Victoria and 2 hours east of the Ugandan border. It is almost equidistant to the large towns of Webuye and Kakamega and is right off the highway that connects the two.

Malava is the largest town in the area and serves as the hub for all surrounding towns. The population is currently about 15,000 and is rapidly growing.

This part of Kenya is the land of the Luhya Tribe. The Luhyas are known for being very peaceful and welcoming to all guests. Over 80% of its citizens practice small-scale, subsistence farming. The most common crops grown are corn and sugar cane.

Nine months out of the year it rains almost daily while the other three are completely dry. Nearly everyone struggles to find both food and water during the dry season.

Problem Addressed
Mukhonje Secondary School has limited access to clean water. Currently, students are forced to fetch water up to a kilometer away. This takes them away from class and leaves them worn out upon returning. Furthermore, the source they are using is a stream that may be contaminated by fertilizer and manure runoff from nearby farms.

Project Description
This project is to build a rainwater catchment system for the school.

The system will consist of PCV gutters attached to the roof, a 2,500-liter water storage tank, and piping to connect the two.

A local craftsman will be commissioned to attach the gutters to the roof. The craftsman will also build a brick and cement stand for the tank.

The 2,500-liter tank will be purchased and transported to the site, installed on the stand, and attached to the system.

Water Charity funds will be used to purchase the tank, gutters, and materials for the stand, and to pay the craftsman.

The community will provide unskilled labor, such as hauling bricks for the stand and maintaining the system after completion.

Project Impact
500 people who attend and work at the school benefit from the project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Charles Sexton

Comments
This is an important infrastructure project for the school. It will provide adequate water for the needs of the school, thus improving the health and well-being of the students and staff.

Charles previously completed the St. Joseph the Worker Home for the Mentally Challenged Borehole Project – Kenya and the Muting’ong’o Health Center Rainwater Catchment Project – Kenya.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$400.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$155.00 – This project has received major funding through the generosity of the Elmo Foundation, with the expectation of additional donations from the friends, family, and supporters of the Peace Corps Volunteer.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify the Peace Corps Volunteer of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by the PCV and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.

This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.