Kenya Project

Location of Lela relative to Africa

Location of Lela relative to Africa

Background

Located in southwest Kenya, Lela is an agrarian community of approximately 2,000 people. In 2008, Lela submitted an application to EWB-USA, seeking access to a reliable source of potable water. Many women and children in the community spend several hours per day fetching water, which is often contaminated and causes health problems in young children. EWB-OSU adopted the Lela Community Water Project in 2009, and has committed to partnering with Lela through 2014.

Lela community well under construction - July 2012

EWB-OSU’s response

After three years of preparation which included a health survey, technical water source assessment, GPS mapping, and an alternatives analysis, EWB-OSU determined the best options for implementation were to drill a community water well within Lela fitted with an Afridev hand pump, and to build a rainwater catchment system at the Lela Primary School. In July 2012, a team of five students and one technical mentor traveled to Lela to oversee the construction of both systems. The trip was a success, and Lela now has improved access to potable water.

Rainwater catchment tank at the Lela Primary School

Timeline
  • January 2008: Project application submitted by Lela community to EWB-USA
  • May 2009: EWB-OSU officially adopts the Lela project
  • December 2009: First assessment trip (community needs and health assessment)
  • June 2011: Second assessment trip (technical assessment)
  • July 2012: First implementation trip (drilled well, rainwater catchment)
  • June 2013: Second implementation scheduled (drilled well)

EWB-OSU travelers with the Lela Women's Water Committee

Moving forward

Following the first implementation trip of the project, the Lela community requested a continued partnership with EWB-OSU to further improve access to safe water. Although a single well has been drilled within Lela, the dispersed nature of the community means that many people are still forced to walk long distances to fetch water. Therefore, EWB-OSU has committed to drilling a second well in Lela. The second implementation trip of the project is tentatively scheduled for June 2013.

Current work

EWB-OSU is now focused on planning for future implementations. Join the Kenya project mailing list to stay up to date on meeting times and future updates.

Photos from trips

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Project coordinators
  • 2009-10: Aparna Shrivastava
  • 2010-11: Daniel Bailey
  • 2011-12: Jaynie Whinnery
  • 2012-13: Zachary Dunn
  • 2013-14: Katherine Lanfri
Documents