Water for Kenyan Orphans

20 Mar

Update for 20/03/2009

By ChildFund New Zealand Charity

The photo shows Grace, a 10-year-old orphan in Emali. In her left hand is the filthy water she is forced to drink. The cup in her right hand shows the high quality of safe water urgent Kiwi action can supply.

"I have never seen a working tap... Many times I fail to go to school because I must go to the river to fetch water. When the water is not clean, that is when we are sick." - Grace (28 November 2008)

Improving the water supply will help everyone in the community but it will benefit orphans and vulnerable children like Grace the most. These children are the poorest people in any community - life is much harder for them without adult protection. Grace's eldest sister Emaculate is trying to raise Grace, but it is a constant struggle.

"My sister takes care of me, and is very kind. But she has no job, and we have no land for farming. So many times I must go to bed with an empty stomach."

Urgent New Zealand support can help to support Phase One of the Water Security plan for the Emali community. This phase will provide water infrastructure to protect the lives of 2,500 orphaned and vulnerable children. Phase One includes water tanks for Early Childhood Centres, the rehabilitation of boreholes, the construction of sand dams and shallow wells and training locals in water management and maintenance. The project above to rehabilitate boreholes is an integral part of the plan.

The Water Security plan when completed will extend to benefit more than 20,000 people in the Emali community. This can only happen with your immediate support for Phase One.