Ablution block and Kitchen for 500 in Nairobi Slum

Kara Wevers and Gerald Cook visited over a dozen GlobalGiving projects in March of 2009.

Kara wrote:

"Constance Hunt, the founder, director and only staff member of KWENCH, allowed us to spend a few hours with her during our visit in Nairobi. She took us to visit her current project on GlobalGiving, where construction is underway for a creative, sustainable, eco-friendly building. Once finished, this building will have toilets, showers, a kitchen, and, hopefully, a community room in which to gather and hang out. The stoves in the kitchen will run on the methane gas collected from the sanitation system’s processes. It is a really innovative set-up. It was great to actually see people working on the building while we were there. It should be up and running within a matter of time.

The location of the building is especially exciting, as it is on the grounds of a school in one of the Nairobi slums. The headmaster was full of hope and smiles as he walked us through the construction site. The location of this site means that the school children will have the opportunity to use the new sanitation facility. Constance also hopes that this will become a spot where the community can gather, where women can use the kitchen to open a small restaurant on the second floor and earn an income this way. It is a great concept, and I hope it works out as planned."

Gerald Wrote:

"Today Kara Wevers and I visited “Kwench,” globalgiving project #1761, “Ablution block and Kitchen for 500 in Nairobi Slum.” We met Ms. Constance Hunt at her church. She was an amazing, quirky, American woman who has decided to stay in Kenya to build toilets and other facilities for impoverished schoolchildren. Upon meeting us we got into her vehicle and she began to lead us out into the field.

She led us into the heart of one of Nairobi’s largest slums. We passed by small shack after shack, small alleys and roads packed full of people. We saw fingers pointing and voices shouting “MUZUNGU!” (white person) as we passed. We visited two schools where Ms. Hunt had built or was building water facilities.

“Sanitation,” she explained, “is very important.” As we watched the construction of a structure that would house toilets, showers, stoves, and other facilities, she described for us how people now are using “flying toilets.” Apparently people defecate into small plastic bags, the type you might get from Wal-Mart, and then simply throw them out the window of their shacks onto the street!

Ms. Hunt is working on educating people on the health perils associated with this practice while also building facilities so that they are able to remain sanitary. She seems to be an expert in water and sanitation and described for us how EVERYTHING within the construction site was environmentally friendly and helpful for the community. The methane from the toilet waste was even to be converted into energy so that less charcoal (which is very dangerous to health and the environment) would be used.

Ms. Hunt was kind enough to introduce Kara and I to two school headmasters, and she watched as we played with the children and enjoyed ourselves. Constance Hunt is an amazing woman doing amazing work, almost entirely on her own."

When asked what they would tell their friends about this project, Kara said it was "Good" and Gerald said, "Great, they are making a difference!"

GlobalGiving is committed to incorporating many viewpoints on our 600+ projects. We feel that more information, especially from eyewitnesses helps donors like you continue to support organizations doing great work in the community.