During this recent trip to Kajiado we celebrated the UN’s World Water Day on 22^nd March 2024. The idea behind this yearly celebration is to highlight the reality that so many people still face across our world of trying to find clean and safe drinking water for their families. The numbers are eye-watering – the UN states that approx. 2.3 billion people live in what is described as ‘water stressed areas.’ This seems almost an absurd situation in this modern era when nearly everything is possible – so why is it not possible that everyone should have access to this most precious commodity? This question does not have an easy answer and if we try to find it, we will get lost in layer upon layer of reasons/blame/finger pointing and much more. Better, I think, to act on the UN’s conclusion, and do something about it.

Kajiado County is described as ‘water stressed’ by the County govt. The population of Kajiado is around 1.1 million and around one third of them are living in remote areas where there is very little – or no – clean water available. It can be a bit overwhelming to try and get our heads around the actual numbers involved, and to wonder what is it that we can do. The answer to that question is easier: one tank at a time!

And that is exactly what we are trying to do in Water Drops. If we average around 1,200 to 1,800 people served with each of our community tanks, and about 35 with each of the Boma Tanks, then so far, we have helped more than 12,500 people to have access to clean and safe drinking water!

This trip has seen two more community tanks completed, and with rain currently falling, both of them are already nearly full. We mustn’t lose sight of the fact that, while we come here to Kajiado to build water tanks, it’s the impact this water has on those who drink it that is far more important.

There will be a role for Water Drops here in Kajiado for many years to come – and as we build one tank at a time, then we will have an amazing impact on the quality of the lives of so many people – let’s not grow weary, but rather let us be encouraged with these small steps.

This verse in the book of 1 Kings is an amazing hope to people who suffer through drought conditions, and can be an encouragement for us – no matter what the circumstances are, things can get better.

For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 1 Kings 17: 14