The COVID pandemic has shown that neighbours are not just those living beside us. We cannot disconnect ourselves from the plight of women and girls who can't socially distance as they draw water from crowded pumps; and we cannot ignore children who can’t frequently wash their hands because water takes so much time to fetch.

Lifewater Canada’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak began in early March, 2020. Work includes distributing masks, sharing hygiene information, providing disinfectant solution, and building hand washing stations at African orphanages, clinics, and schools. 

One of the key factors causing the spread of COVID-19 is crowding. People are supposed to stay 2 meters away from each other. But social distancing like this is not possible where women and girls have to walk long distances to fetch water. They have to walk in groups for safety from animal attack and protection from rape at dusk and dawn. There can be no separation in line at crowded pumps as you constantly move your buckets up towards the pump. Once it is your turn, you must grab the handle just touched by so many before you.

One of the COVID response actions was to fix pumps and rehabilitate wells to reduce the number of people dependant on any one water source. The following letter was received from a community whose well was put back in service:

Dear Sir:

The chairman and the entire community and congregation of A.I.C. Igwamiti do hereby extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for your kind assistance in repairing our well, fixing our water pipes and fitting us with a new handpump. The project has enabled us to easily draw and enjoy safe drinking water once again from our well. 

May God abundantly bless you and all who have contributed towards the success of this project.

Thank you so much, K Herto (Project Chairman)

The area of Igwamiti is in Laikipia County, a 1 hour drive north of Nakuru in the eastern escarpment of Rift Valley. It is located right on the equator, but is a high, dry plateau. As a result, the climate is cool and temperate, with both rainy and dry seasons.

This area is named after the Laikipiak people who arose when the Maasai scattered the Kwavi tribe in the 1830's.

About half a million people live in Laikipai county, there are less than 10,000 in the Igwamiti Ward. Economic activity here consists mainly of agriculture, chiefly grain crops, and raising of cattle. Local people are responsible for providing their own educational facilities.

In rural areas like this, Women play a significant role in community development.

The work in this area intensified during May and especially June. 250 litre tanks were distributed with disinfection solution. This disinfection solution allows local women to effectively clean their homes and improve family hygiene through better handwashing.

Thank-you for bringing health and hope to these small, rural communities that have little wealth and are often forgotten by their governments.

With thanks,

Rev. David Maina,

Program Coordinator

The Lifewater Kenya