Kenya

Location
Kavunyalalo (Waresa area), Magareni District, Coast Province, Kenya. Kavunyalalo is located 9 km from the newly created district capital of Magareni, Marafa.

Community Description
Kavunyalalo is a remote rural village of approximately 900 people. As in many parts of Kenya, women in the village must walk long distances to secure water for their families. In recent years, interior portions of the Coast Province have experienced severe drought.

During the drought, the people of a village 5 km away created an adapted sand dam/water catchment system that helped to both contain the rain, when it occurred, and to block the water running in a seasonal stream during the periods of heavier rain. This method was able to retain water for longer periods during a time when little water was available.

Recently the two rainy seasons have returned. The sand dam/water catchment system continues to be a water source for the people. Until recently, this remained the closest water source for the people of Kavunyalalo. The closest bore hole is 9 km away.

In July, 2009, the people of Kavunyalalo, led by a retired community health worker, begin to dig their own adapted sand dam/water catchment system to hold water from a seasonal stream and the rain. This site was chosen due to the natural pooling of water from these two sources.

Ninety people of Kavunyalalo participated in digging the interior portion and began digging sloping sides for excess water catchment before the short rains began. The dam contained water throughout the short rains, although a problem existed with the water seeping out of the far end of the dam to the place where the seasonal stream once continued.

The District Officer showed support for the project by providing gunia sacks (large grain sacks) to prevent seepage in the center portion of the sand dam/water catchment system. The sacks helped, but a slow seepage remains. The short rains have ceased and the group has finished digging the sloping sides of the system.

Project Description
This project is to improve the sand dam and water catchment system for Kavunyalalo. The primary center portion of the dam will be cemented to prevent seepage during the long rains, leading to sustainability of the water supply.

Project funds will be used to purchase the materials, including regular cement, waterproof cement, bricks, sisal sacks, and polyethylene paper.

Project Impact
This will be the closest water source for 900 people and 1 of 2 water sources for 3000 people.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
DeAnne Turner

Comments
This project will provide a needed water source for a large number of people at a low cost. The project was developed and carried forward by the community, and is functioning, albeit not to its full potential.

By improving the structure to properly contain the water, it becomes a fully-effective system that can remain standing over time. This is directly consistent with the Water Charity model, which values needed improvements to existing projects.

Dollar Amount of Project
$408.33

Donations Collected to Date
$408.33

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of Alfred Graham, of Macon Georgia, USA, and others.

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

Location
Kwa Kolumba Market, Kilisa Village, Kenya

Community Description
Kilisa Village is made up of approximately 1000 people in 140 households.

Project Description
This project will finish a previously started undertaking to bring piped water from the local river to the market.

The project has undergone various setbacks, including the failure of the government to provide promised support.

The project is being done by the Kilisa Village Development Community (KVDC), which has 56 members. The project is nearing completion, as a dam and sump have been built in the riverbed, the piping system has been installed, and the pumphouse has been built.

The funds will be used to properly install the pump and complete the tank stand. The stand has 9 pillars and a slab on top for the water tank which will serve as the reservoir for water in the local market.

Project Impact
The project will greatly reduce the time and work needed to access water. It will also provide a source of revenue for the Kilisa Village Development Community which will sell the water to fund other community projects.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Nicholas Dominguez

Comments
This is a model project. It has been put forward by a very strong community group, with the leadership of an extremely effective Peace Corps Volunteer. Many resources have been garnered thusfar, with the last element remaining for the system to be brought online. Providing the “last dollar” is very worthwhile, as it turns something that is not yet working into a reality, now!

Dollar Amount of Project
$496.54

Donations Collected to Date
$496.54

Dollar Amount Needed
$0 - This project has been fully funded! Please choose another of our worthy projects.

This project has been completed. Click HERE to see the final report.