EBUSSAMBA COMMUNITY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL, KENYA

FUNDED MAY 24, 2023

Ebussamba Primary School is located in the village of Ebussamba, in the Vihiga province of Kenya.  There is no conflict in this area of the country; it is away from the capital city.  But access to clean water is severely limited.

Collecting Water Takes a Long Time

EXISTING CONDITIONS

The teachers and children continue to get sick with typhoid, cholera, malaria, and other waterborne illnesses, causing them to miss school. Currently, the children walk over 1.5 km to find water from an open spring that is piped down to the bottom of a hill. The spring water takes a long time to flow through the piping so there are long lines where people often get into fights as they grow tired of waiting. The long wait also disrupts the time when children should be in school. Families often spend the little money they have on hospital bills due to water-related illnesses.

The residents do not have access to enough safe water to ensure proper hygiene, and due to scarcity and competition, they are not drinking enough to prevent kidney infections and other health complications.

The plan for this complex project is to have an elevated tank with distribution to a water kiosk. To achieve that goal, we need a deep borehole well, an electric pump and solar panels to power it, one or more storage tanks, a water distribution system for the kiosk, and a filtration and treatment system. The project will also include hygiene training, which is already underway.

The Water Committee Inspects the Proposed Well Site

 LIVING WATERS INTERNATIONAL’S PROGRAM

Our program implementation through WASH Program Areas is unique in that it aims to bring lasting physical and spiritual development in communities through a multi-year program focused on specific regions thoughtfully integrating and contextualizing principles of water access, sanitation, hygiene, church mobilization, gospel proclamation, and sustainability. Kenya is the first country Living Water
International started and has a long history of over 33 years working in this country. We use the same staff drillers for all of our projects in Kenya.

SPECIFIC COSTS AND FUNDING INFORMATION

Total Project Cost: $20,000

Funding Requested from Ingomar Living Waters: $8,000. The remaining funds will come from Living Water International’s’ general giving donations.

Project Timeline:

• Date Funds Required: Spring 2023
• Estimated Project Start Date: Late Spring 2023
• Estimated Completion Date: Early Summer 2023

Costs Breakdown:

• Materials: $8,000 – Cement, blocks, submersible pump, well piping, distribution piping, holding tank, drilling mud, sand, gravel, solar panel, outside of compound water kiosk.
• Labor: Will be paid for by general donations.
• Administrative Costs: Will be paid for by general donations.
• Future Maintenance: This will be provided through general giving until the community is able to support their own maintenance. This will happen after two years from the time the well was installed.
• Other Costs: Evangelism outreach, health and sanitation education, sustainability training, community development will be paid for by general donations.

WELL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

Living Water International will provide training and backstopping support during the first 6 years until the local water committees and community have gathered enough fees to build a reserve for funding future maintenance. Water users will pay small, monthly water user fees by household and these funds will be collected and managed by the water committee for future repairs and maintenance of the system. The well-caregiver will be equipped to do the ongoing general maintenance.

The water committee pictured below has been charged with responsibility for the care, maintenance, and sustainability of the future water access point. Two teachers from the school are part of the water committee.

The Water Committee

DISCIPLESHIP

Living Water employs a pastor within each country’s staff. The LW staff works with and through existing churches to mobilize the community, foster unity and spiritual growth, and empower them to be health advocates within their own communities. 

Bible storying training is coordinated within the WPA at several locations and outreach evangelism events such as the Jesus film, family activities with spiritual influence, or rallies to name a few. Bibles are given out to new believers or believers who do not have access to a bible in their own language. Other pastoral training and fellowship activities are held to unite Christians throughout the WPA in sharing the gospel and uplifting believers. When communities grow in [the] knowledge of WASH programs and the Christian faith, it inevitably overflows to neighboring communities, creating a ripple effect for generations to come.

Gospel Proclamation

FUTURE IMPACT

Upon training of the water committee and completion of the project, Living Water expects the community to have sufficient water for all their needs – drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. School absences and dropout rates should diminish significantly, and families will be free to pursue other educational and commercial opportunities since they will no longer lose time fetching water or at home sick from drinking contaminated water. The overall outlook and economic situation should improve and begin to move the community toward a more stable and positive state.

Students Attend a Health & Hygiene Class