Oltiasika Community Water Supply
The successful implementation of all WATER DROPS projects depends on three main ingredients:
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The involvement and support of the local community where the work is to be carried out.
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An enthusiastic and capable team of builders in Kenya committed to the aims and objectives of WATER DROPS.
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Those who are generous and willing to donate towards these life changing projects.
And that is exactly what we had available to us for this Project. Our hope and prayer is that this will continue into the future as we strive to implement water solutions to those who need it most.
PROJECT DETAILS
Work Team: There was a team of about 20 people on site. Six were the skilled masons and carpenters and the rest were casuals. Out of the 14 casuals 12 of them were from the local community.
All materials were delivered to the site before any construction was started – this was to ensure that there would be no delays in completing the job while waiting for further deliveries. This means that when work actually started we were able to continue without interruption – thus saving a good amount of time.
Time Schedule: The initial timescale for this project was three months. This took into account the likelihood of work being carried out during the rains and also for possible complications after removal of the existing plaster and floor coverings. However, the rains stayed off and the tank walls were not too bad – so the whole project was completed in four weeks.
Budget: The original budget for the whole project was £17,830. After all the accounting was completed a balance of £5,508.39 was left over. This means that we managed to complete the work within the time schedule and below budget. In keeping with the ethos of WATER DROPS any balances remaining will be passed on to the next project. This means that Project No 2 – Imaroro Community Borehole – will be credited with £5,508.39.
Ownership: This is a very important part of all the work we do and to achieve this significant time and effort needs to be taken. The work started with prayers and a blessing from the local community and their leaders. At the hand-over ceremony all local leaders were in attendance and at the end of it all the newly trained Water Committee took charge of the completed system.
HUMAN IMPACT
Population: There are approx. 2,000 people who will benefit from the water in these tanks – and about 2/3 of them are children under 10 years old.
Health and wellbeing: The impact of having clean water available will be seen in improved attendance of children in both the local primary schools and also less pressure on Clinic resources as levels of sickness due to water borne diseases will decrease.
Community: After the hand-over ceremony I spoke to three women and this is a summary of what they said when I asked them what difference this water project will make to their lives:
‘Clean water will make a big difference to our way of life and will especially improve our health and wellbeing.’
Monitoring & Evaluation: Further visits will be made from time to time to look at the impact that clean water is having on this community – and to check on the syphon system to see that it is working efficiently. Any support required will be carried out through the Development Offices of the Diocese of Kajiado.