Siaya Well Project

Joseph and Agnes proudly and happily pose at the well. Before, they had a very long walk to a tiny stream where they fetched water. The same stream was also used by the community for watering livestock, bathing, and laundry. Now they not only have water available right outside their house, it should also be a bit safer to drink! Three of their neighbors also use their new well. The first person to draw water was a widow friend of theirs.

I took some sodas so we could appropriately celebrate the occasion. Collins is the one with a hat. The other young man is Morris. He was one of the workers and has since stayed on to help Joseph around their place. They've become friends and Joseph is telling him about the good news of Jesus.

A recent report by the UN states:

• 1.8 million children in the world die annually from diarrhea that could be prevented by drinking clean water
• Almost 50% of people in developing countries suffer from health problems caused by a lack of water and proper sanitation
• Every citizen in the world should be entitled to 20 liters of water per day at minimal cost
• Many poor people survive on less than 5 liters of contaminated water per day
• The labor required to fetch water prevents many girls from attending school and many women from income-generating activities
• Access to clean water is the most effective way of ensuring economic growth. It keeps away disease and avoids undue loss of manpower (that is devoted to the search for water instead of being channelled to production)
• The economic return in saved time, increased productivity, and reduced health costs is figured at $8 for every $1 invested in achieving water and sanitation targets.