Kenya

Makindu Water Project - refurbishing a potable water system and fundraising 

The Makindu Water Project, an effort of the Oregon-based nonprofit by the same name, is located in central Kenya on the arid savanna between Nairobi and Mombassa. Project work began in this very rural and depressed region in the fall of 2001 to upgrade and expand an existing municipal water system. Initially developed in the 1930's during British colonial occupation to provide the local British community of a few hundred people with water, today it needs to supply over 20,000. When completed, the infrastructure will meet current needs and support the projected growth with clean water for domestic and agricultural use. 

To date, a 250 cubic meter, holding tank has been built which supplies (by gravity) a number of distribution sites located in the surrounding 18 villages. Besides providing a more even and consistent flow of water, it also serves as an emergency storage tank during frequent water pump and power failures. Previously during these times, locals had to use the contaminated Makindu River for their water needs, which sometimes resulted in fatal outbreaks of water born diseases. Also newly constructed is a 50 cubic meter tank that supplies water to the Makindu Children’s Center, supporting over 100, orphaned children with food, clothing, medical care and love. Now with irrigation, they are now growing all food needed for their children, staff and volunteers. 

ARC is assisting in raising funds for the next phase of this project which includes replacing four miles of main water distribution lines with larger pipes which will eliminate the need for daily rationing of water due to the inadequate flow and waste (rotten pipes also leak several thousand gallons of water daily). A containment wall will be built around the main supply spring to reduce contamination into the water supply from its river-bottom location. More distribution sites will be added and an auxiliary pump and chlorine purification system will be installed. Funds have been guaranteed that will allow this phase to begin in Fall, 2005.