Location: Kuria West School District
Village: To be field verified upon construction
Sublocation: Kuria
Country: Kenya
Population (est): 500+
GPS coordinates: To be determined at completion of well
Summary of Community Situation: According to Hydrating Humanity’s recent visual assessment of this area, confirmed through studies cited by the Kuria Ministry of Water personnel, less than 20% of the homes practice improved sanitation aka pit latrines. (i.e. outhouse use). The introduction of improved water is a major motivator for improved sanitation in the developing world. A village that has no hope of access to safe water will rarely show concern for managing human waste. Water is first. This village nor this school has never had access to safe water.
Currently villagers bathe and wash clothes in the e-coli ridden stream produced by this unprotected spring. Men have been observed driving their livestock to drink from the same. Livestock usually defecate in their watering holes as a practice.
Summary of Water Solution: The aquifer has been captured at about 50’ below grade and the well shaft is approximately I meter across and lined with solid concrete walls. A 9-inch concrete pad is poured with a galvanized Afridev Hand Pump using all stainless steel parts.
Summary of Sustainability Profile: The school will receive hygiene training by Hydrating Humanity’s Social Workers and our local water technicians who are on staff in the Bukira East area will service the pump.
Summary of Related Challenges/Opportunities (hygiene, education, etc.): The Kuria area of Kenya has less than 20% of households using improved sanitation facilities (i.e. outhouses). Open defecation and lack of hygienic behaviors such as hand-washing with soap and safe water storage threaten the effectiveness and sustainability of safe water sources. Hydrating Humanity’s hygiene curriculum addresses all these needs and behaviors. Providing clean water alone is only around 15% effective at eliminating waterborne disease, but when we combine clean water with hygiene training that statistic rockets to 75%.
Summary of Cost Per Person: The cost of this concrete lined traditional hand pump well is $6000, which is $12.00 per person given a community or school of 500. This school is expected to double in size after the well is installed.
Check back for more project updates. In the meantime, you can help by dining at a participating restaurant, registering to be a restaurant partner, or giving toward our administrative costs.