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Water for life in East Africa

The community of Gichobo--thankful for support for their water project. Photo: Ann Walle/CWS

December 20, 2006

"Together we changing the lives of men and women in this part of the world, through leadership and water programs," says Amos Muniera, managing director of long-time CWS partner Farming Systems Kenya (FSK). Based in Nakuru, FSK is marking its 25th year of service.

Farmers of small holdings make up 80% of Kenya's farms. The group operates with what it calls a "Curriculum Based Extension" approach, emphasizing the growth of skills and structures, with emphasis on credit management, business advocacy, and the marketing of products through the Farmers Marketing Federation. The work models are exchanged through collaborative field days, training seminars, national shows, and exchange tours with similar groups. In addition, the group emphasizes tree planting, because its area of Kenya has been known for the destruction of the environment.

Out in the community, the CWS partner is the Rural Water and Sanitation Enhancement Project. Two main rivers within seven kilometers are the resource for a population of 1.2 million. Following the country's independence in 1963, farming cooperatives bought British estate lands, but were then left without finances for seeds and tools.

Farming Systems Kenya was created to supply agricultural and technical support, but still farming production was low, because of the shortage of water. Church World Service helped to provide improvement.

"The affiliation with the church helps in getting into communities. That has really helped," notes FSK’s Amos Muniera. At the same time, "we respect values and cultures and don't change what we don't need to change," he said, about entering the variety of communities in the Nakuru region, which is home to a large number of traditional Kikuyu.

At Gichobo, a borehole was made by the government, with each community family then buying pipe for a trench for water to their area. Most homes do not as yet have running water within the house, but the pipe's proximity saves family members a walk of 12 miles. When it came to providing repairs and upkeep for the system, the community found it needed to be responsible, and not depend on the national government. With input from FSK and CWS, it formed a steering committee for the project, and named their group Gichobo Water Project Self-Help Group. They mapped their community and the needed outlets and support, including the provision of labor for three water kiosks, including one 20,000 gallon storage tank. The project serves five locations, with a population of 1,000 families. By selling the water for a modest fee, the community receives revenue to maintain the system.

"Our lifestyle has been changed" by this project, said Mr. Mushieri, the chairman of the steering committee, as he welcomed visitors and thanked them for the "very, very strong human touch to this community."

The Steering Committee of Gichobo Water Project.
Photo: Ann Walle/CWS

A woman who is a member of the steering committee spoke on behalf of the group's women. "We appreciate the great support," she said, pointing out on the map the long distances people used to travel to find water. "In the morning when we left we couldn’t cook for the children. The fathers had bicycles so they too would go looking for water. So to see the pipes laid underground … we have never had that in this region." She spread her arms wide, outlining a large circle: "Whoever has given of their own, God bless you all." The current phase of the project seeks to lay out an 18-mile distribution system.

A younger man, named Joe Moni, is the secretary of the group. "Water is life," he said. "Having a tap is like a mirror for you" – you can see that you are alive. "I come five kilometers (about three miles) from here, and the pipes are there, too. We are grateful. Our people get water at the kiosks, and sell it at an affordable price. With that some can pay for electricity."

"God willing, we can ensure that everyone has a connection to the water," explained the chairman. He noted that some community members were not there; their own crops had failed due to drought, and they were at a food relief program. "Our main problem is water; our people are looking for maize at the food distribution."

Collins, an environmentalist with FSK, noted that he was working with the community to see that trees were planted, but that lack of rain is a problem. He teaches how to build "storey gardens" – a sort of layered square terrace structure – out of stones, sand, and charcoal. This then provides a sustainable food supply. "The environment is protected, and everyone has food," he says.

The women of Njokerio.
Photo: Ann Walle/CWS

In Njokerio, another district community, the chairman explains that the water project was inaugurated last year by the Kenya government's Minister for Water, a woman, he noted, saying, "We are gender-sensitive," to the nods of the females seated in the audience. He explains that the members of the community are the owners of the plot of land housing the well, where they can access water. "We used to travel four kilometers (about 2½ miles) to the river to get water – a river that is polluted. Now, water-borne diseases are uncommon."

Steering committee member Ruth Kuniga shared that, "We are now able to do other things. And we are happy because we have clean water. Where we used to go, it was dirty, and we had to use this water. Our next phase is to take the water closer to our homes, to take piped water."

Ruth recollected how they all trenched and lay pipeline as their contribution to the system, with only one skilled laborer among them.

Remarked the chairman, "And this is not diplomacy? This project has brought us all together!"

Indeed, a brochure distributed by FSK underscores the rippled ramifications of such a project: "The community is drinking the much-desired accessible, clean and safe water and their excitement cannot be hidden. This will not only address their current need but also flow ever to other areas of socio-economic importance. The time previously used by the community to search for water can be channeled to other productive purposes, such as agricultural production; the money spent on medication as a result of water-borne diseases will be redeemed for other investments; school-going children who have always used their time in search of water can thus concentrate more on their education, and hence improve their academic performance."

FSK has now been nominated to support other water projects in the country, such as the Rift Valley Water Service Board. This exchange of experience and accomplishment is a piece of the FSK approach to water project sustainablility: "linkages, networkings and collaborations … With this," their brochure says, "the community constantly receives support from diverse interested parties"

This peer support and empowerment, as well as the water flow, is what is truly exciting to see.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

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