Crocodile attacks are the norm for the Watha people of Kenya. Although there is a constant threat of crocodile attacks along with the possibility of contracting cholera and typhoid, the only option for the Watha is to collect water from nearby rivers. This project will allow local hero Guyo of the Watha Project, a GRACE Cares partner, to build a well that will serve 1,027 of the Watha, drastically improving their health, safety, and quality of life.
According to the WASH Joint Monitoring Programming Report (2019) by the WHO and UNICEF, only 59% of Kenyans have access to basic water services. Kenya has the third largest number of people (9.4 million) in sub-Saharan Africa who drink directly from contaminated water sources, including the Watha tribe. Beyond the contaminated water which can breed diseases like cholera and typhoid, the Watha also face the danger of crocodile attacks. Building a well will ensure their health and safety.
The Watha Project, under Guyo's leadership, plans to build the first well in Kenya to serve the Watha people. This well will allow community members to avoid the dangerous river while having access to a safe water source. Furthermore, because the well will be centrally located, women and children will not have to walk as far to collect water. This reduction in time spent fetching water will improve their quality of life.
The first well in the Watha community will serve 1,027 people and have a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of the people. The Watha's ability to access clean and safe water from a centrally-located well will save lives and change them for the better. Access to clean water not only improves health outcomes and safety but also diminishes the labor and time required for its acquisition, especially for women and children.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
