Maraba Primary School
Project Snapshot
Country: Kenya
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude 0.295283
Longitude 34.744017
Impact:
Total Served: 1160
Status: Completed (?)
Completion Date (or estimate): 08/12/2010
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Previously water was collected from rooftops when it rained and stored in tank. But for the most part, students gathered water from a nearby river (seen below). This river is contaminated by sewage and other activities around the river.
Just before this project began, our partner reported that there had been another outbreak of cholera - an often deadly water borne disease.
The school committee is overseeing this project. They are already at work building additional latrines that will go a long way toward improving overall sanitation and hygiene. With the addition of clean, safe water, the students health should improve dramatically.
Well Dedication Report (as filed by our implementer, unedited)
The visit was during school closing day and actually people came in large numbers including students, parents, teachers and entire community member. BWP members were happily welcomed with great joy through singing of praising songs i.e maji ni uhai (water is life).
The Headmaster of the school stood up and testifies that without this water in place the school could have been closed by public health officers due to poor hygiene and sanitation of the school, so it was the struggle of BWP along with interim WASH Manager Mr. Jack Owen for the school to be not closed down by providing the school with clean and safe drinking water.
Students promised to utilize time spent out looking for dirty water miles away now to sit down in class and concentrate in studies for them to improve academically while community members were very happy in that they will no longer suffer from waterborne diseases since they are having clean, safe drinking water.
Maraba is one of the most populated community in Kakamega town thus the well will serve more than 2000 people respectively.
Latest Update:
8/12/2010 - Well Completed - Report and Pictures Added
8/10/2010 - Pump Installation - Pictures Added
7/23/2010 - Drilling Complete - Picture Added
Project Photos
Sponsors
39 individual donors
Garrad Hassan America, Inc.
Polk County Middle School
South Brunswick High School
Park Lane Elementary
College Lorette Collegiate
Newport Baptist Church
Jefferson County Open School Water Project
In Memory of Kathryn Holman
Country Details
Kenya
- Population: 39.8 Million
- Lacking clean water: 43%
- Below poverty line: 50%
- Climate: Varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
- Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
- Ethnic Groups:Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%
- Life Expectancy: 57 years
- Infant Mortality Rate: 55 deaths per 1000 live births
Partner Profile
Bridge Water Project
BWP staff and crew were originally trained by David Hansen, a retired water engineer from California. David visited Kenya, saw a need, and then recruited and organized this team. He got them equipment and trained them how to use it. He also trained them how to manage their new business.
Today they are drilling at least one well per week. They work in communities they know and help mobilize them. They are able to return and fix broken parts. They are committed to seeing their own people changed when clean water comes.
