CLEAN WATER ACCESS AT THE CENTRE OF LOVE KIBERA

The Centre of Love has continued with its commitment to the provision of clean and safe drinking water to the residents of Kibera Slum. Our mission remains to provide a safe place for children, youth, families and the underserved. This report will explain progress made for the months of April to early August

In response to this, the Centre held various activities aimed at realizing its goal and objectives:

• Provision of clean water.

The Centre served additional 500 households from privious number through the provision of clean, safe drinking water. This was further enhanced by the supply of filtered water where community members now have the surety of accessing more safe and hygienic water. The Centre also provided toilet services to the households and community at large.

• Upgrading work space facilities.

The Centre of Love had been operating without a designated space for the coordination of activities. Through various donations, the Centre embarked on the construction of a manager’s office and multi-service hall. The purpose of the multi-service hall is to provide a clean and safe space where community members including children, young adults and parents can meet and carry out their various activities such as training. The construction is now complete and all the spaces are being used fully.

• Environment Conservation

The Centre of Love participated in a tree planting exercise together with the local administration i.e village elders, chairman and chief. This has enhanced the institution’s response to climate change and the conservation of a green environment.

• Partnerships

The Centre of Love partnered with various well-wishing individuals and institutions in the delivery of its services. Key partnerships included:

Mullen School Colorado- 3 teachers and 18 students visited the Centre on 10^th and 11^th of June 2023. They participated in the construction, distribution of foodstuff, sanitary items, reading materials and assorted writing materials for young children. The school also made a key donation to the construction of a manager’s office.

Rotary Club of Evergreen Colorado-The Centre of Love received a generous donation from Dave Rommelman (R.I.P) which went towards the construction activities.

Key Achievements

• Additiponal 500 households accessed clean, safe and hygienic water. The water was used for both consumption and sanitation. Over 300 accessed toilet services. This has improved the health of community members, especially from diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea.
• Improved partnerships with local administration i.e village elders and chiefs. This has enhanced the Centre’s presence in the community and its response to the most immediate needs revolving around Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
• Presence of dedicated space to run the Centre of Love’s Operation through the presence of the manager’s office as well as community activities through the use of the multi-service hall.

Key Challenges

• Water pipeline vandalism-This remains a key challenge that has affected the continuous supply of water. Illegal groups hijack the water pipeline system and divert water elsewhere thus creating shortages.
• The outbreak of cholera-the community experienced a cholera outbreak which affected their health. The centre responded by increasing the uptake of clean safe water through supply of the water and community one on one talks to encourage the use of safe clean water.