| |
Kenya |
| |
|
Summary
of the project
|
| |
|
| Country |
Kenya |
| Region |
Kisoro
Slum Area of Nairobi |
| Climate |
Moderate
rainfalls, long rains (April-June),
short rains (Sept- Nov), temperature range from
12°C-45°C |
| Typical
Water Source |
piped
water, boreholes |
| Partners |
Communities,
CBOs, NGOs |
| Duration
of present phase |
June
2007 to may 2008 |
| Main
objectives |
|
| Number
of beneficiary |
over
1/4 million people |
| Status
quo at present |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Introduction |
| |
|
Since
1987, Kenya Water for Health Organisation (KWAHO) has
been implementing water and sanitation in Nairobi’s
informal settlement communities of Kibera, Kangemi and
Mukuru. Its main activities comprise the setting up
of water points (tanks), construction of appropriate
and improved sanitation facilities, promotion of health
practices and income-generating activities, capacity
building and promotion of SODIS technology in close
collaboration with the slum communities.
|
|
| |
|
Project
Zone |
| |
|
Between
March 2004 and end of June 2007, KWAHO implemented a
Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS) project in the Kibera
and Mukuru slums of Nairobi erected on government land
with temporary housing structures made of mud and iron
sheets. The area basically lacks proper infrastructural
facilities, i.e. adequate water supply quality, sanitation,
health facilities, electricity and road network. The
inhabitants of these communities are inevitably faced
with water-related diseases, especially the children
under the age of five. KWAHO is therefore trying to
address this situation by implementing the aforementioned
interventions.
|
|
| |
|
Parnership
and linkages |
|
| |
|
The
project partners comprise KWAHO staff, SODIS Promoters,
targeted Kibera and Mukuru communities, community clinics,
SODIS users, especially women, youth and school children.
The community contributes in kind to the project by providing
its assistance and purchase of PET bottles. KWAHO also
networks with CBOs, NGOs, local churches, schools and
government ministries, i.e. Provincial Administration,
Health Officials and local leaders.
Funding is provided by the Solaqua Foundation (Eawag)
and the Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing
Countries (Sandec). Various new components of the project
are financed by Rotary International, Lions Club, UNICEF,
and local plastic companies.
|
|
| |
|
Implementation
Strategy |
| |
|
A
participatory implementation strategy is adopted for
this project and involves the community and other stakeholders
in the identification of the problems, planning and
implementation. Trained promoters assist user families.
Social marketing is the primary method to disseminate
knowledge on the technology and contributes to behavioural
changes about the need to use safe drinking water. Research-based
information is provided by promoters to potential users,
especially to sceptics of SODIS.
Regular water testing, i.e. pairs of tests are conducted
to establish the microbiological quality of SODIS-treated
water and ensure the safety of user families.
To mainly disseminate SODIS to a larger community, the
project also involves already formed user families (as
examples of SODIS users), integrating them in recognised
and registered CBOs.
|
|
| |
|
Expected
results/Achievements |
| |
|
Awareness
building
By combining SODIS with proper hygiene practices, user
families have improved their drinking water. Through
intensive mobilisation and awareness campaigns on hygiene
and sanitation, many households have changed their habits:
they drink SODIS water, wash their hands with soap and
keep their environment clean.
Participation at household level
Regular household visits by promoters to user families
have enhanced participation at household level and created
a cordial relationship between promoters and users.
This process allows KWAHO to ensure that SODIS is applied
regularly and correctly.
Water
quality and health improvements
Water quality: the surveys conducted in the households
of the project areas reveal health improvements and
report savings on medication.
|
|
| |
|
Lessons
learnt |
| |
|
• The
success of social marketing and intended behavioural change
are dependent on community representatives. Promoters
must have the necessary social skills (personality, leadership,
marketing and communication skills).
• Promoters must be committed and driven to change
the social status of the community.
• Availability and accessibility of PET bottle is
absolutely vital for sustainability of any SODIS project.
• It is important to raise awareness on the interdependence
between water quality and health.
• To achieve the best health impact, households
should combine SODIS use with proper sanitation practice.
• Collaboration with government agencies, donors
and CBOs is crucial for the success of any SODIS project.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
