Families in northwest Kenya gain clean water and sanitation facilities

Anglican Church of Kenya Eldoret Region CCS (ACK/ELRECO)

Some 350 Turkana families (about 3,500 people) in two communities in the Lodwar area of arid northwestern Kenya are gaining clean water and sanitation facilities, with the help of the CWS Water for Life/Water for All program and local partner the Anglican Church of Kenya.

Unhygienic conditions are one of the root causes of illness in the communities of Katilu and Naipa, particularly among women, children, and the elderly. In addition, women and girls spend much of every day walking long distances to fetch water for the household, leaving little time for school or activities that could boost family incomes.

The communities are providing labor and some materials to construct shallow wells, along with latrines and bathing cabins to improve sanitation, with help from the CWS-supported project.

The communities are also learning environmental conservation and water resource management, which will help the families ensure their water supplies are more sustainable into the future. And, some members of the community are training to become community health workers, who will implement and monitor group sanitation activities.

Support for Church World Service helps make this program possible.

Updated 3/13/2008

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