Subject: Mark your calendars for November 28!



Monthly Newsletter

November 2023

Inaugural Elections Create Economic

and Social Opportunities for New Leaders

From Left to Right: Rose Musa (Treasurer), Laban Shitoshe (Vice Chair), Simon Matolo (Vice Secretary), Ben Soita (Chair), Margaret Wafula (Secretary), and a local villager.

Matsakha Development Group (MDG) held its inaugural election during the first week of November. Founded in October 2020, MDG was formed to improve the social, health and economic status of community members. Central to their work is empowering the community financially through income-generating activities provided by Friendly Water programs such as Better Building, Water Security, Good Hygiene, Sustainable Food, Clean Water and other opportunities.


A representative from the Malava Ministry of Social Services, Madam Grace Nekesa, facilitated the election of the following officers:


Chairperson: Ben Soita

Vice Chairperson: Laban Shitoshe

Secretary: Margaret Wafula

Vice Secretary: Simon Matolo

Treasurer: Rose Tom Musa


Terms for the officers are one year, with the ability to renew the terms twice.


The opportunity to serve as an officer at MDG has opened new doors for these individuals. In addition to gaining leadership and financial management skills, officers earn an honorarium each month. Secretary Margaret Wafula has shared her excitement at having this opportunity, telling us "The honorarium I receive monthly is used to pay for my children’s school fees. I feel humbled and honored before God and everyone. May God bless the work of my hands as I serve Matsakha community."

Villagers in Matsakha vote to elect officers at Matsakha Development Group.

Rotary Clubs Help Make Our Work Possible

Namanja Primary School students assist with building the Rainwater Catchment Tank!

Rotary International is one of the largest service organizations in the world with Rotary Clubs forming a global network of professionals who volunteer for community service and humanitarian causes. Friendly Water is fortunate to have partnered with several Rotary Clubs around the country to help fulfill our mission of ensuring water security for everyone.

Friendly Water and Rotary International share overlapping missions of addressing the global WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) crisis. Together we mobilize resources, form partnerships, and invest in infrastructure that yield long-term change.


Friendly Water has recently partnered with Rotary Clubs on both coasts of the United States to build eight Rainwater Catchment Tanks in Kakamega County.

The Rotary Club of Bedford in Massachusetts provided funding to build three Rainwater Catchment Tanks at Namanja Primary School (pictured below). Friendly Water also collaborated with the Rotary Clubs of Thurston County (Washington) Water Committee to build five tanks at three locations, including the Kambiri Health Center, Bulovi Secondary School and Magale Secondary School.


Friendly Water's staff members are also involved in local Rotary Clubs where they live. We are excited to advance these partnerships that have positively impacted so many of our friends in Kenya!

Friendly Water Program Manager Eric Lijodi participates in the dedication of a new Rainwater Catchment Tank at Namanja Primary School in Kakamega County, Kenya, built in partnership with the Rotary Club of Bedford, Massachusetts.

YOU Help Make Our Work Possible!

Mark your calendars for

Tuesday, November 28!

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. Join other donors around the world on November 28 in support of Friendly Water for the World or make a gift today at the link below!