Sigomere is a beautiful rural county, or ward, located approximately 200 miles from Nairobi, Kenya. Here, 40,000 people live and work through an economy of small family farms. Very little, if any infrastructure exists. Electricity, navigable roads, automobiles, bicycles, internet, solid building construction, and clean water are luxuries. Normally, residents obtain water from small ponds and depressions in the ground, where springs and run off collect. The threat of disease is a constant part of life, and children die at an alarming rate.
A new project, called “Catch the Water Spring Protection” has proven that this can change. Clean water is now a reality for a Sigomere community of approximately 10,000 Kenyans because of efforts by multiple partners. The project was designed and implemented by Sasa Harambee, a 501c(3) founded by longtime Conifer resident and Evergreen Rotary member, Carol Carper. Sasa Harambee believes in forward-looking, partnership approaches that have demonstrated life-changing results for farmers and their families throughout this area. The funding for the project was provided through a grant from the Evergreen Rotary Club and Colorado Rotary District 5450, a private donor, and mountain area high school and middle schoolers. The total cost of the project was $13,000. Community members contributed labor, building materials, and provided meals for workers. They also pay a small assessment fee.
Data collected through the Kenyan Ministry of Health for six months prior, and six months post project, shows a remarkable drop in the existence of water borne E. Coli, Fecal Coliform, and Coliform. The preliminary health data is most impressive. There has been 63% drop in diarrhea, which especially endangers the health of children, and an astounding 67% drop in mortality.
Sasa Harambee plans to continue this work, in addition to its community-driven sustainable agriculture training programs, leadership development programs, and the establishment of economically sustainable businesses. Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad.
For more information on the invaluable work of Sasa Harambee, go to: sasharambee.org