In their bid to provide clean and safe water for communities of Kerwa Village in Kiambu County, Amref Health Africa in Kenya,
EABL Foundation and Kiambu County Government commissioned a renovated borehole to the community at a ceremony held on October 24. The renovation of the borehole which will benefit approximately 7,000 people from the county was made possible by funding from EABL Foundation to a sum of US$ 42,900.
The scope of work entailed renovation of a 225m3 masonry, water tank, water kiosk, pump house and the development of a 1.5km water pipeline. For a very long time, the community had battled with water scarcity. This might be the reason they turned up in large numbers to witness the life changing project being commissioned.
Hon Kimani Ichung’wa (Left) MP Kikuyu Constituency, Erick Kiniti (Back Right) Corporate Relations Director EABL Foundation and Dr George Kimathi of Amref Health Afica unveils the placard
A pump House that was renovated by Amref Health Africa in partnership with EABL Foundation
A representative of Kiambu County Government plants a tree as Kerwa Community members observe
Amref Health Africa, EABL Foundation and Kiambu County officials at the ceremony
Dr George Kimathi (1st Front) of Amref Health Africa , erick Kiniti Corporate Relations Director EABL Foundation and Hon Kimani Ichung’wa M
George Kimathi (Right) of Amref Health Africa in a conversation with Erick Kiniti, Corporate Relations Director at EABL Foundation
George Kimathi of Amref Health Africa address the congregation at Kikuyu Constituency
George Kimathi of Amref Health Africa waters a tree he planted at the groundbreaking of the 2rd phase of Kerwa water project
Hon Kimani Ichung’wa , MP Kikuyu Constituency plants a tree
Hon Kimani Ichung’wa Mp Kikuyu Constituency addressing the congregation
L-R, Martin Muchangi (Amref), Peter Ondiba(Amref), Erick Kiniti (EABL Founadtion) and Dr George Kimathi (Amref)
Martin Muchangi (Right) helps Dr George Kimathi (Left) to plant a tree (Both from Amref Health Africa)
Oficials from Amref Health Africa, EABL Foundation and Kiambu County watch the big truck that will be used to drill the well
Kerwa community and Kiambu County at the commisioning of Kerwa Water project
Peter Ondiba addresses the crowd as Dr George Kimathi (Left), Martin Muchangi (2rd Left) all from Amref Health Africa and Hon Kimani Ichung’wa MP Kikuyu Costituency look on
The truck that was used during the renovation of Kerwa Water Project
Women sing during the ceremony
It was not long ago when Kerwa village was one of the driest villages in Kiambu County. Girls had to miss school as they spent several hours looking for water on a daily basis. In commissioning the project, Hon Kimani Ichung’wa Member of Parliament of Kikuyu Constituency remarked that,” This borehole will positively change lives of people in Kiambu County.”
Hon Ichung’wa assured everyone that his constituency will continue to work with development partners to identify other health needs and undertake appropriate interventions. He called on others to emulate the gesture of Amref Health Africa in Kenya and EABL Foundation describing them as true corporate groups that mind the lives of communities in Kenya.
Also addressing the gathering, Erick Kiniti, Corporate Relations Director EABL Foundation, noted that, “By providing clean and safe water to the community, we will reduce water-borne diseases in Kerwa.”
In addition, the event also marked the ground breaking ceremony for the second phase of the project targeting approximately 4,000 people at a cost of US$ 65,000 from the foundation. The second phase will entail drilling of a new borehole and development of a 3km pipeline.
A representative from Kerwa Women’s Group praised Amref Health Africa and EABL Foundation for coming to their aid. She stated that lack of clean and safe water was a major constraint but through the commissioning, it is now a thing of the past.
Meanwhile, the EABL Foundation, on the same day, also donated a tent and over 30 seats to the Kerwa Women’s Group. Also in attendance was a team from Amref Health Africa led by Dr George Kimathi Director Institute of Capacity Development at Amref Health Africa.
By Maureen Cherongis/Communications
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