Integrated water project for improved health for women and children in Mutulani village Makueni
County Kenya
The need
Mutulani Village in Makueni County is located in Lower Eastern of Kenya. This is a semi arid zone with
low levels of rainfall. The area is semi-arid, highly prone to frequent drought, severe food shortages and
scarcity of water. Makueni is one of the most food-insecure areas of the country. Over 70 percent of
households are classified as poor or very poor.
The main livelihood of the people is subsistence agriculture which is rainfed. Livestock rearing, is
common and other income generating activities include hired labour, selling of charcoal and fire-wood,
brick making, petty trading, selling of vegetables and, when available, food aid. Women do most of the
agricultural activities. Men are largely involved in other income generating activities in and out of the
vicinity.
The sources of water for the people of this village which has about 300 households is a dry stream called
Kyanduu River and an earth dam located 5 kilomteres (3-1 miles) away. The sources are not enclosed,
are easily contaminated as they are also shared with livestock and wild animals. The stream is seasonal
and avails water for use only during the rainy season. This has made the community experience long
spells of water shortage.
Per capita consumption of water is 10 liters per person [WHO standard is 60 liters per person per day].
This leads to high incidence of water borne diseases like dysentery, diarrhea and typhoid as well as
backaches for women who carry water with containers on their backs over long distances. High cost of
medical care and too much time spent in fetching water is another challenge. Women and children
have to walk for 2 miles one way leaving little time for other gainful economic activities like farming.
School children also spend inordinately more time also looking for water leading to high school
absenteeism and resulting to eventual poor school performance.
How will this project solve this problem?
This project has been identified as a priority by the people of Mutulani Village and the process of
implementing the project will rely heavily on the genius and fortitude of the community here.
Resources persons will only be brought in to provide missing technical skills. The committee responsible
will be trained in running the project and where to source for spare parts to ensure minimum down
time.
It is expected that by the end on the project there will be increased access to clean water, improved
maternal and child health as well as increased engagement of women in economic activities and more
time available for school children to play and study.
Proposed solution
The project proposes development of an integrated water supply project to serve about 250
households. The project will comprise drilling a borehole, installation of water storage tanks, and
development of community water collection points. There will also be training provided especially to
women in water supplies management, total community led sanitation, water conservation, tree
planting and use of water for productive activities as well as educating School children in hygiene.
Water Project at Mutulani Village Kenya submitted to Global Giving Oct. 2013
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The community will provide all local resources needed in this project including bricks, water, sand,
stones and unskilled labour. Fund sought will be used to purchase materials that are not available
locally like machinery, cement, pipes and skulled labour.
Long term impact




Improved health for both women and children
Increased per capita consumption of water
Decreased incidence of water borne diseases due to access to clean and safe water
Increased time of women to engage in other social and economic activities e.g. vegetable
production and care of children
School children can concentrate on their studies as they will be relieved from the burden of
fetching and carrying water for school and home use.
Improved hygiene for all in the community especially children and women.


It is expected that this project will lead to improved health of 1500 women and children as a result of
increased access to water, more time for women and children to engage in other beneficial activities as
well as better practices in hygiene and environmental management
Proposed Activities


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Formation and training of water user committee
Construction of water supply [ borehole, piping, tanks and water collection points]
Training of water artisans
Development and implementation of a health education programme for school children and
women
Support women to engage in productive activities like vegetable production and tree planting.

Budget
1.
Item
Drilling borehole and Installation of water pump
2.
Provision of piping and water storage tanks
3.
4.
Development of 2 community water collection points
Training of water artisans on repair and maintenance of water
supplies
5.
Health education and water conservation training sessions for
women and school children
6 Support to women - grow vegetables and other social and
economic activities
Total USD
Water Project at Mutulani Village Kenya submitted to Global Giving Oct. 2013
Cost in USD
17647
9412
2353
2353
1500
3529
35294
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