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Kenya |
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La version française
sera bientôt là
Summary
of the project
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| Country |
Kenya |
| Region |
East
Africa |
| Altitude |
it
has high altitude to 1660 above sea level |
| Climate |
rainfalls
is moderate, long rains
April-June, Short rains Sept- Nov, temperature
range 12°C-45°C |
| Typical
Water Source |
piped
water, boreholes |
| Partners |
Communities,
CBOs, NGOs |
| Duration
of present phase |
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| Main
objectives |
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| Number
of beneficiary |
over
1/4 million people |
| Status
quo at present |
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Introduction |
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Kenya
Water for Health Organization (KWAHO) has been working
with communities living in informal settlements in Nairobi
from the year 1987, covering Kibera, Kangemi and Mukuru
in the implementation of water and sanitation activities.
Its main outputs have been putting up water points (tanks),
constructing appropriate improved sanitation facilities,
promoting health practices, promoting income generating
activities, capacity building and promotion of SODIS
technology in collaboration with the communities in
the slums.
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Project
Zone |
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Between
March 2004 and end of June 2007, KWAHO implemented a
Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS) project in the Kibera
and Mukuru slums of Nairobi. These are governmental
lands with temporary structures constructed using mud
and iron sheets. The area basically lack proper infrastructural
facilities i.e. adequate quality water supply, sanitation,
health facilities, electricity and poor road network
among others. The inhabitants of these localities are
inevitably faced with water related diseases especially
children under 5 years of age; KWAHO therefore tries
address this situation through implementing the interventions
mentioned above. |
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Parnership
and linkages |
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Project
partners include: KWAHO staff, SODIS Promoters, targeted
Kibera and Mukuru communities, Community clinics, SODIS
users especially women, youth and school pupils. The community
contributes in kind for time taken, and direct purchases
of PET bottles for sustainability of the project. KWAHO
further networks with CBOs, NGOs, Churches, schools and
government ministries i.e. Provincial Administration,
Health officials and local leaders.
Funding is done by Solaqua Foundation (EAWAG) and the
department of Water and Sanitation for Developing Countries
SANDEC). New entrants to assist in financing various components
of the project are the Rotary International, Lions Club,
UNICEF and local Plastic Companies.
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Implementation
Strategy |
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The
implementation strategy used for this project is participatory
in which the community and other stakeholders are involved
appropriately in identification of the problem, planning
and implementation. Trained Promoters are used for outreach
to user families. Social marketing is the primary method
of disseminating knowledge about the technology as it
enhances change of attitude about the need to use safe
drinking water. Research based information is given
out by promoters to potential users especially in the
event of skepticism about SODIS.
Regular
water testing i.e. pair wise test to establish micro
– biological quality of SODIS treated water to
ensure the safeness of water consumed by the user families.
The
project also uses User Families who have now been formed
into recognized and registered CBOs as example users
of SODIS for the primary goal of disseminating SODIS
to a larger community.
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Expected
results/Achievements |
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Awareness
building
Through integrating SODIS with proper hygiene practices,
user families have improved their drinking water. By
intensive mobilization and sensitization 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 enables KWAHO to ensure that SODIS is applied
regularly and correctly.
Water
quality and health improvements
Water quality: The households’ survey conducted
in the project zones revealed health improvement and
report of savings on medication.
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Lessons
learnt |
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- The
success of social marketing and intended behaviour
change are dependent on community agent. Promoters
must have 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 SODIS project.
- It
is important to raise awareness on the connection
between water quality and health.
- To
achieve the best health impact, households should
incorporate SODIS practice with proper sanitation
practices.
- Collaboration
with government agencies, donors and CBOs are crucial
for the success of the project.
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