US organisation quenches Mwingi residents' thirst

It is the time of the year that sees women making bee-lines with donkeys loaded with empty water jerricans as they trudge to the available water wells from dawn to dusk, sometimes even forced to visit the water points at night.

In most cases, the women from the remote areas of Kitui county congregate at the few and far apart water wells, dug on dry beds of seasonal rivers, as they take turns in fetching water.  

It is a daily routine they have to make do with until the arrival of the next March- May long rains which provide the much cherished break from the laborious trek to distant water points.

However, this year it's different for women in Thonoa village in Mwingi Central.

They don't have  to wake up early to search for water as a US organisation—Association of the Protection of Women and Children Rights, based in Pittisburgh—has intervened and changed the course of their lives for the better.

The NGO has sponsored the construction of a shallow well dubbed Thonoa Community Water Project that provides water to 1,450 families and their livestock.

During a recent visit to the project by the Star, residents heaped praise on the the organisation for listening to their plight and coming to their aid.

They said the provision of water was one of the best things to happen to the local community in many years.

The project comprises a 3,000 litre tanks, solar powered pump and pipes for taking water to the tank from where the community draws water.

There is also cattle trough and two water outlets for water collections by community members.

“This water project is the best thing to happen to us in this village. Water has been a serious problem in our area," said 72-year-old Kamene Mutia.

"Since I was a young woman, we have had to trek long distances in search of water; sometimes putting our lives on the line.” 

Kamene who lives a short distance from where the water well is located, said she was happy that since December, her children do not waste time searching for water and that the entire community can now access water easily.

“As a community we are grateful to the donor who found it worthwhile to provide our community with water. Water was a serious problem as residents had to trek long distances to get it. I have no words to thank the donor,” Joyce Kalekye said.

She said the community uses the water not only for domestic purposes but also for watering livestock. “I can foresee a possibility of our using the water to start a vegetable garden at the site where this project is located. The crops would improve our diet,” added Kalekye.

Josphat Munene, another resident, was grateful that a donor had found it necessary to come to the community’s aid.

“We have always felt that we were a forgotten community. I can say that this is the first donor to support a project in our area. It has addressed one of our greatest needs.” 

He said before the project was completed and handed over to the community last December, residents used to trek to far off areas where they could scoop sand on river beds to make water wells.

 He said the routine was draining and torturous for local women but things have change for the better.

A project committee chairman John Mutuku said, “The community is enthusiastic about the setting up of project. We are ready to do everything possible to ensure its sustainability as its benefit to the community cannot be gainsaid.

“From the Sh2 that we charge consumers for every 20 litre jerrican of water, we will raise money to build a perimeter fence around the project site to keep out vandals and malicious people at bay,” Mutuku said.

He said the money could also be used for repairs and maintenance and any other incidental operations cost.

The APWCR Kenya Country representatives Benjamin Musunza said the George Tawoh-led organisation learned about the water scarcity problem in Thonoa and decided to help as the majority of those who bore the brunt of the problem were women.

“We are responding to social needs of women and children in the world. We will implement many more humanitarian projects in the rural areas to reduce suffering and improve the living standards of marginalised communities,” said Musunza in a press statement.