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TOS borehole project brings water to Kitui
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In the face of the current acute food shortage in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, the TOS in Nairobi undertook a project on behalf of us all. From the end of August 2011 until February 2012, fifty-five families in the town of Kitui, 130 kms east of Nairobi, were given enough staple foods to keep them alive pending the return of the rains. In the meantime funds were collected for the construction of a bore hole and water pump. |
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The last few weeks have been hard for Kitui. The neighbouring districts had so much rain that it was feared that some crops might get destroyed and yet in Kitui, no water! The maize plants were withered and dry. The greens looked sad and thirsty. There were the daily treks looking for places to buy water and then the task of carrying water-filled jerry cans home. No mean task! It is only women who do the water carrying in Kitui and young girls have to help, missing out on school. (The men only use water as a business, selling it to women coming from far and wide on foot.) |
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When our bore hole was ready for action, news travelled fast that the water was going to be available the next day, June 29. The whole community was stirred up and next morning a line of yellow and black and green jerry cans appeared with their owners. Prayers were recited, the lock was opened and water gushed out. Incredible! Wow! No more treks! And best of all: so much time that was spent fetching water every day that can now be used by the women in more beneficial ways! Once the modalities have been worked out, water will be used not just for drinking and washing but for watering subsistence crops. |
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As the women left with the water, they could not hide their joy and there were blessings and thanks galore. Yes, a very warm thank you to all the TOS members around the world who assisted so generously with this project. Be blessed.
Usha Shah, Convenor, TOS Nairobi.
P.S. TOS Kenya is proud to be part and parcel of the worldwide TOS.
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