Follow us over the course of a year as we help the community of Matopeni in Nairobi, Kenya, build clean water and sanitation facilities.
As the rainy season began in Kenya, the Matopeni community realised the full benefits of Maji na Ufanisi’s work on its drains. But delays in installing clean water have brought frustration.
Rain into drains
The arrival of Nairobi’s long rains in March brought the first real test of the effectiveness of Matopeni’s new drains.
Although rains have been sporadic, they have been heavy. In the past the rainwater had nowhere to flow and would flood homes with sewage leaving some residents sleeping upright in chairs to remain above the water level.
This year the situation has dramatically improved. ‘Now when it rains, the small drains bring the rain to the main drain,’ explains Lydia Kithuku. This means a better environment and better health for the slum’s residents.‘Now when it rains, the small drains bring the rain to the main drain’
Lydia has seen her grandchildren’s health improve and with it their performance at school. ‘Now I’m feeling better and Blessing, Eugine and Edson are feeling better,’ she says. ‘Blessing likes maths and science. She got 82 per cent in her maths test and 66 per cent in science.
Her father is very clever and the child took after him. I want her to learn to be a doctor so she can nurse me when I am very old!’
Clean water connection delayed
While the slum’s new drains are functioning well, unfortunately the plan to bring a supply of clean water to the slum has been delayed.
The slow process of getting approval from the relevant authorities including the local chief and water board has meant that work on water pipes and taps is yet to start. Although frustrated by the delay, the community remains committed to the project and Maji na Ufanisi plans to complete this work by August 2011.
In the meantime Matopeni’s residents hope to use a new water tank recently donated by the local government.
This will also ensure that the community has an alternative source of drinking water when there are shortages. ‘Veronica [Milla] talked to the councillor because we don’t have a tank,’ explains Everlyne Saha Ombere. ‘So when the water is cut off we won’t have problems.’
Read more from the Matopeni community from Mary Anne Kanini.
