Bring fresh water to Gathaka, Kenya

During the 2012-2013 school year, Lawrence Wambugu of Gathaka, Mukurwe-ini District, Kenya lived in our home as a high school exchange student. Soon after he returned to Kenya, we asked him through email what he missed the most about America. He said "clean water." There is no source of water in his village; everyone must carry their water 400 meters by hand from a nearby murky river. So, we are raising money to bring a fresh water source to Lawrence's village.

Stage One, Preparation, was completed in May 2014, when Teresa Newton went to Africa and made arrangements. She has built a relationship with an experienced, trusted NGO (non-governmental organization) in the area that has been building rural water systems for many years. She also has built relationship with a trusted third-party who can provide independent oversight. A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED TO MAKE STAGE ONE A BIG SUCCESS – WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOUR HELP!

We are now at Stage Two, Construction. It will not be necessary to dig a well (a very expensive proposition). Gathaka is in a mountainous area with many small streams and springs. A gravity-based system using a hydro-ram pump (low tech / low maintenance) will pump clean water from a deep ravine.

The people of Gathaka were overjoyed to meet Teresa and learn of the project. Villagers will do the construction work under the guidance of an experience engineer, keeping costs low and giving villagers a sense of ownership for the project.

Your contribution will go directly to pay for the construction of the water system. Our goal is $10,000 for Stage Two (the Goal Total listed above includes Stage One). We will keep all contributors informed of our progress.