Jim Goodrich, President, Rotary Club of Groveland, CA Transforming a Community: Safe Water in Kenya Ron Denham, Chair Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group United Nations - November 2011

The Background: 1.2 million people in the Rift Valley region around Nakuru lack access to safe water during the dry season. Women and children trek up to 6 km several times a day carrying polluted water for their families.

Safe Water & Sanitation This lack of safe water has profound implications for the community

It also helped start a micro-bank to fund tank construction and small businesses:

Then they receive materials to build the rainwater collection and storage cisterns:

Rainwater harvesting frees women from the chore of hauling water; the micro-bank lends them money to start small businesses!!!

Elizabeth, who once spent all day hauling water, now grows cabbages:

And her husband, who she describes as a drunkard, now minds the goats

This program is not merely providing water, it is enabling the community to improve life and livelihood: Women are creating economic value. Micro-banks give people confidence and hope. Crops and livestock flourish. Food supply is assured, poverty reduced. Children are healthier. Women are sending their children to school.

This program is successful because it is owned by the community: The Nakuru Rotary club invested in the people, not in technology. The Rotary Community Corps extended the clubs reach into the smallest villages. Rotarians made a multi-year commitment. The club trained and employed skilled people. Households committed money and labour!!!

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