👍Our ALL TESTIMONIALS Newsletter!!👋

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Subject: 👍Our ALL TESTIMONIALS Newsletter!!👋

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One of our partners in Kenya referred to our work as-

A Journey of Good Deeds.

At Friendly Water, as providers of training for the sustainable production of essential needs like water, food, dwellings, and hygiene we are used to measuring and evaluating our work fairly technically- lots of numbers- to describe our outputs, outcomes, and impacts.

We talk about our Water Security program in the millions of liters of storage produced (2.4M and growing); our environmentally restorative bricks from our Better Building program in the tens of thousands (130,000); the liquid soap in our Good Hygiene program being available to over 47 villages in three communities; or the 14,928 students from those communities who no longer have to walk for water as part of going to school.

But behind every number, every cell in a spreadsheet, and every entry in a bank account is a face. A face with a name, a challenge, a dream, and an opportunity- these are the workers, students, businesspeople, community medical staff, administrators and heads of households that turn to Friendly Water to help improve their lives.

We fulfill our mission by working with three Community Based Organizations (CBOs) we helped found with whom we create programs that produce social, health, and economic benefits that are replicable, scalable, and sustainable.

Our partner CBOs are:

Matsakha Development Group (MDG) founded in 2020, partners with 10 villages comprising the Matsakha sub-location in northern Kakamega County. Population 9265.
Kambiri Community Development Group (KCDG) founded in 2021, partners with the 27 villages that make up the Kambiri Location in central Kakamega County. Population 8376.
Kevukima Development Group (KDG) founded in 2023, partners with the 13 villages that constitute the Vigulu sub-location in southern Vihiga County. Population 8210.

Below is a large sampling of their stories, divided into broad and sometimes overlapping categories. These are the stories of individuals, groups, and villages; the stories of a people living in Western Kenya, facing challenges, searching for solutions, and welcoming of partners. Working together, these are all the stories in which we all play a part in making real. Enjoy.

Philanthropy

“Alone we can do so little together we can do so much”, KCDG Chairperson, Tabitha Musonye

KCDG officers (picture above) came up with an idea of mobilizing on how to get food and donate it to Bulovi Secondary School following the construction of two Rainwater Catchment Tanks (RCTs) and discovering the situation that the school was in. The learners could not remain in school because even though they had water, there was no food, and this could affect their future outlooks. The funds for the food donation comes from some of the profits KCDG has made selling our Kenya Bureau of Standards certified Liquid Soap, part of our Good Hygiene program.

My name is Abigael Shimoli from Matsakha village, am 11 years old and in grade five. My elder brother passed on just after clearing his final primary education which really saddened me losing my only brother. We were living in a small room together with our grandmother which was hard. After my brother passed things changed through the Matsakha Development Group as they built two houses for my dad and my grandmother. That’s not alone, they also visited me in school and gifted me with new uniforms, books, and enrolled me to school lunch program by paying for what is needed for me to be included in the lunch program in school. My whole year school fees was as well cleared.

My name is Noel Kadhina a resident of Matsakha C Village, Matsakha Sublocation, Malava sub county in Kakamega County. A student yet to join Kaimosi University to pursue a course in school of Education. I wish to thank the Matsakha Development Group for supporting me with their generous contribution during the fund raising of my school fees held at our home on 25/8/2024. May God of Heaven grant you knowledge and wisdom to continue working as a team and support many in the community. God bless MDG.

Climate Resiliency

With the looming drought in Kambiri, crops have started drying up, animals lack drinking water. People walk long distances to get water.

But the Narrative is different for Kambiri Community Development Group, they have a 25,000liter rainwater tank at their yard which is full to the brim and a Permagarden just close to it. For them this is the time to reap as they water their crops and will sell at a good price.

My name is Silus Sasala, a resident of Chebwai Village in Batali Chegulo Ward. Iam a teacher at Matsakha primary school. Am planning to build a house and therefore every time I pass by the MDG office on my way to school, I see the advertisement of the Demo Walls, then was inspired to know the difference. I wish to thank the MDG for taking the time to explain their efforts of making such valuable Bricks that take less time and fewer Cement when building, and don't burn down the forests to make them .

The management and other stakeholders of Kerongo Secondary School had been grappling with the perennial water scarcity caused by relying solely on gravity-fed water sources. After much deliberation and unsuccessful attempts, including considering fundraising for a drilled borehole, a timely solution emerged. Friendly Water, in collaboration with the KEVUKIMA Development Group, constructed a 25,000-liter rainwater catchment tank. This initiative saved the school from years of climate change-related challenges

Growth, Skills and Experience

My name is Monica Masitsa, am a widow who was left with children after my husband died through road accident during covid times. Life has not been easy on my side together with my children as a widow and now a single mum.

After my husband died, I had to go extra ways to make sure my children are schooling, dressing, and eating like any other children. I have worked for people on their farms and all types of work that were paying something small to sustain myself.

When I joined Kambiri community development group in Kambiri I didn’t know I will get the training I am getting now. Like now, I am the happiest woman who has experience in brick making and am an assistant mason, when visitors come in, I am called upon to come and showcase my experience in brick making and show them how we do it and take them through the whole process.

This really made me feel honored and humbled before everyone.

Thank you, Friendly Water.

My name is William Amunga, a mason at Kambiri. Throughout my career I have had the privilege of working on various construction site. One of the most innovative and sustainable solutions I have encountered is the use of Interlocking Soil Stabilized blocks (ISSBs).

These blocks often made from compressed soil fit together like puzzle pieces. They eliminate the need for mortar, making construction faster, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.

My name is Hurdson Omwoga from Kerongo, am 37 years old, am a husband and a father, after my primary level education, my parents were not able to take me to secondary school. So, I decided to be a man and start working for people in my community as I get some small pay and I was saving, I did that for two consecutive years, then I made a decision of joining construction course, which took me another two years. I have never, since I started practicing masonry in my 10 years of service, seen a water tank being constructed or be part of, though they are there I see them but never imagined how they are constructed. Am glad that am now part of the team doing rainwater catchment tanks in my area schools that are made possible by Friendly Water for the World. This has made me feel prouder as I have added another skill on the curriculum vitae. And to add on, the pay am getting from this team, is the best ever I have ever received, and this is going to change my life.

My Name is Celestine Khasoa, a mother of six children -three boys and three girls. They are school going age.

I was brought up in a culture where men were required to provide for their family, so I was dependent on my husband for our upkeep. But with the economic strain that we are experiencing in our country, my husband was unable to meet all our needs and I had to look for an alternative and that’s how I got the stacking work at Kambiri community Group. Surprisingly, what I thought I could not do for many years turned out to be the most exciting venture in my life. I enjoyed the work, and it eased the economic burden on our family.

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Education & Safety

My name is Elizabeth Ayidi, 13 years old of age. Am in grade seven which is currently junior secondary. You can see how our school and entire village is rocky and hilly. We have to carry water from home or carry jerricans to school to use in fetching water to school for various uses. My home is down there and my school is at the hilltop, carrying water and books at the same time was so tedious and much time was spent on the road. This has come timely when I really needed such a blessing in my life, if I continue talking the goodness I will experience I will never finish talking because the entire school and the community will benefit from this rainwater tanks.

My name is Josiah Aderi, a grade one Musunguti primary school. We have been carrying water from home to school for cleaning, drinking and cooking. We used to fetch water from the streams which were not sure if it was clean. We are grateful for the Kevukima group and Friendly Water constructing a RCT tank in our school. We are now able to access clean water at school.

My name is Julius Jumba, a current parent and PTA chairperson of Lyamagale primary school. Over the years we have been worried about the time wasted by students when going to streams to fetch water during school time. This has been one of the factors undermining the performance in Lyamagale primary school in the recent years. As a parent and the chairperson of PTA I have been concerned over the same. Fortunately, this year Friendly water for the world through Kevukima CBO came in handy to construct our school a 25,000 litres tank during the time we needed it most.

I am Hilda Shivanda the head girl at Bulovi Secondary School, Bulovi Secondary is a village school and most people see us as village girls who don’t deserve good and better things but Friendly Water bet against that odd and constructed two Rainwater Catchment Tanks for us, we can now open a tap and get water just like other people do. The tanks will enable us have more time to be in class and concentrate on our education. It will help us from having frequent chest problem from carrying heavy jerrycans of water on our heads. Thank you, Thurston Rotary Clubs and Kambiri Development Group, for having us in your hearts.

"If suffering was a person, yes, these kids have suffered", their teacher said.

Our school is on the mountain and most of these children come from down the mountain which they must climb the mountain coming to school. And not only coming to school but coming with water. This comes with a lot of challenges of danger on the road, in the streams they must pass by fetching water among many risks accompanied.

On behalf of these learners we say, thank you Kevukima Development Group for bringing Friendly Water for the World into our school.

My Name is Peter Natili, the headteacher Shanderema Primary School. When I came to this school, three years ago, I found children going down stream to fetch water, something that really disturbed me because I knew the dangers associated with this activity. I tried engaging local water vendors, but it was too costly until Friendly Water and Kambiri Community Development group came in with two 25,000-liter capacity rainwater Catchment tanks. It has now been two years since the tanks were constructed and no learner has ever gone to the stream to get water. I am a proud headteacher.

Our children at Intermountain Academy have been most of times outside school compound looking for water to run normal activities that require water. We had some water yes, but it wasn’t enough, with this water storage we are sorted well.

Business Opportunities

The Kakamega International Investment Conference was the first ever Investment conference to be held in the county. Many Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that operate within the county were invited to attend by the Ministry of Trade, Industrialization and Tourism. Matsakha Development Group (MDG) was among those invited to showcase their products. MDG showcased their well packaged, labeled, locally-made and certified “META” multi-purpose soap which attracted many investors. Many contacts and networks were established during the conference with government institutions encouraging MDG to apply for government contracts.

Our KDG group is going to be well known all over the entire community and even county. With these free samples we are giving to almost everyone in the community and institutions, we will get noticed very fast.

When we start producing for selling, we will not struggle much in getting market as we have created market already through this giveaway. We have gone to schools, and other institutions just to make sure they are aware of a new product in the community that will help them in their hygiene problems. And we noticed most of the people we interacted with are in love with the quality of our BORA multipurpose soap.

“Bora” to mean better, is our soap name, we are optimistic that we will outshine in this market. We are the KDGs, we will make it, we are aiming higher to the top.

My name is Joseph Mutenyo, a resident of Matsakha, I am also a member of Matsakha Development group.

My wife operates an eatery here in Matsakha and she has been taking vegetables from our home garden to her place of work . Our vegetables could barely last for a month before they were finished but today am a happy man to have learned a new technology which will solve my problem. I want to implement this technology to my home so that I can support my wife with her business and also provide nutritious vegetables to my children .

Faith & Values

My name is Maryciana Musanga, the treasurer Kambiri Community Development Group, a position I have held since the group started. I have been very steadfast in making sure the group’s records are well kept.

Apart from being the treasurer of the group am also a member of the “Catholic Women Association” (CWA) serving as a leader. My positive traits, attributes and values are attributed to my strong faith that we observe in the women association regarding humanity and being true to thyself. These beliefs have enabled me serve with diligence, honesty, and transparency in my position.

The clergy of Chebwai Complex Center which comprises of Chebwai college, Chebwai Primary School and Chebwai Health Centre had a strong message for the masons before they started construction of the Rainwater Catchment Tank, the theme of his message was “Acknowledge GOD in All your ways “ with a reading from proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your understanding ; Acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path." Being in a Christian institution we should start and end with God for divine protection. May your work be filled with blessings as you start this task.

Expanding Healthcare

CHEBWAI DISPENSARY- Nurses

In our dispensary we receive more mothers for maternity than other patients. We have many baby deliveries. If you are a nurse, all you will want to see in the delivery room, maternity, post-natal and antenatal is clean water and soap so that hygiene is maintained in the rooms after each activity.

My name is Dr Angela Omondi, I am the facility in charge of Chebwai Dispensary Hospital. I have been serving here for the last seven years.

When I joined here, the first thing I was concerned with was water. Because in any given facility water is very key. Yes, there is drilled water and pump installed, but sometimes, when there is drought, water levels go down and denying people right to water wasn’t a good picture for our facility.

We are glad as we have now a 25000 litre Rainwater Catchment Tank that will serve us well, together with our neighbors and even our church next to us will use this water, and by using this rainwater from the tank, we will be saving the water from the pump and that will increase the water in the ground.

Community Health Volunteer’s (CHVs) plays a crucial role in promoting heath and well-being within the community of Kambiri. The CHVs held their refresher training at Kambiri social hall, and the Kambiri Community Development group was invited because of our work promoting Water Security and Good Hygiene. We are grateful for the opportunity. The culmination of the training was recognizing the efforts being made by other stakeholders within Kambiri in promoting good health care.

MY name is Anaswa Milimo, a resident of St Martins Village in Matsakha Sublocation, I am a painter.

I am painting this Hand washing Station because it helps us a lot as a community. Most of my jobs I do them from this Market and after finishing I come here and wash my hands. I wish to thank the MDG for making this Hand Washing Station on this Market since have witnessed Boda-boda’s, Mechanics, Cane loaders and even Mama Mboga washing their hands here before going for lunch in the Hotel. It has real reduced spread of germs and diseases, am proud to live in Matsakha

My name is Berita Simekha, a retired nurse and a current Board of Management chair of Lyamagale primary school. I have been a nurse for more than 30 years where I have seen pupils suffer from persistent water borne diseases. This was due to pupils fetching water from different springs, a case scenario is Lyamagale primary school where students come from different areas of neighboring communities of Bunyore.

Food Security

My name is Joyce Mudeshi, a proud mother of six. I have been involved in farming all my life and thought I knew everything about it...until the Kambiri Community Development Group introduced Permagarden technology to my home. The results have been nothing short of amazing. I now harvest kale twice a week, and each harvest brings in Kshs 300 ($2.70), which helps support my family.

ed.-This is the same school noted above that didn't have enough food for their students, now they are building a permagarden.

The Permagarden came to Bulovi school at the very time we needed it most. Yes, the entire school will benefit from it, but us as Agriculture students will benefit more from it as we have the passion already and we will utilize this farming knowledge well that has new gardening techniques that we have never even practiced both at home and here in school.

(above) It all began with land preparation for Maryciana Musanga, it was not easy doing the Permagarden, it needs a lot of commitment, dedication and focus in fact community members were wondering what I was doing on my farm, little did they know that “NO PAIN, NO GAIN”

Today my home and garden are host to many visitors who come in to benchmark on the secret towards the high yield of vegetables that I am getting , some are buyers from the neighboring market. The garden feeds my family and I sell the surplus to meet my bills.

Location: Kambiri

07/03/2024

Taken by: KCDG Officer- Nancy Masitsa

Members of KCDG installing a Permagarden at another member's household garden.

Rotary Partnerships

My Name is Dr Christine Opondo, mental health physician and I currently work in Kisumu but lives in Maseno. I am the incoming president of the Rotary Club of Maseno.

Am really intrigued by the work that is done by Kambiri Community Development especially production of a very high-quality multipurpose liquid soap. In my many years of practicing i really had the passion and ambition of initiating a community led project in my rural home but wherever I could start one challenges followed suit and this demoralized me a lot. However, today I have learned a lot about maintaining a cohesive group in a community set-up, this is very remarkable, and I want to applaud Friendly Water for the World for offering such high-end level of management. Their soap is incomparable, their leadership style has no match. Everything is worthy emulating.

My name is Dr. Jefferson Mutibo the In-Charge at Kambiri Health Centre.

When I first reported here, there was a great challenge of water in the institution as there was a great drought that hit the entire country. We cancelled maternity services.

Today, despite drought, there are no more challenges of water and our mothers will be served well in the maternity wing. Many thanks to the Rotary Clubs of Thurston County through Friendly water and Kambiri Community Development Group for the 25,000 litre RCT.

Friendly Water's partnership with Rotary International has been an invaluable asset to our communities.

Working alongside Rotary Clubs has enabled us to amplify our impacts. Their support to our community has truly been inspiring. And today, the Rotary Club of Maseno demonstrated that spirit by visiting our offices in Kambiri and toured some of the projects supported by other Rotary Clubs.

We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to work and partner with Rotary Clubs and look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.

Civil Administration

My name is ESTHER KISARAJI, I am the area CHIEF of Mahanga Location. Am very grateful to Friendly Water for creating this CBO here in Maragoli, as I have seen, you don’t have age limits and it is gender balanced. We have youth in your team, and this has really impressed me as many insecurity cases are caused by the youth and you have accommodated them. To add on, you have introduced this soap training which will create an income opportunity for my people thus reducing theft and insecurities.

This is Vashele Community holding their community forum in the presence of local area administrators and Matsakha Development Group leaders. It is a meeting of its own kind because the community deliberates on challenges and achievements they have.

In the meeting what reverberated the air was “ No water, no life “.This was after the community water pump broke up for some time and they had to go for a long distance looking for water or buy from water vendors ,until the area assistant chief felt their cry and approached Vashele primary school which had two Friendly Water tanks of each 25,000 liters to allow the community also use the water. The school agreed but with a condition of specific time to fetch water. This made the community so happy and thanked Friendly Water for putting up the tanks at Vashele.

Living in a region where water quality can be unpredictable, the introduction of household water filters has been a game changer for my community. Before we had these filters, we often faced a myriad of health issues due to water borne diseases and boiling water was our only option, which was time consuming and not effective.

Since we started to use water filters, there’s been noticeable improvement in our health. The filters are simple to use and maintain, which means that everyone, from the elderly to children can have access to safe drinking water.

They have also been cost effective, we no longer purchase bottled water, which has saved us money and reduced our environmental pollution.

It is a simple solution that has a profound impact on our daily lives.

My name is Esther Vidija, a current Chief of Mung’oma ward. Over the years my area has been faced with insecurity due to idleness of youth. Friendly Water came in just in time to engage the idle youths in making soap and ISSB brick making. This has helped youths to be empowered economically. I also acknowledge the benefit of Rainwater Catchment Tanks in the area which has also reduced pupils walking around with containers fetching water from streams. I’m so grateful for what Friendly Water is doing in partnership with my community.

My name is Abraham Namusenda, I am the area community administrator of Matsakha sublocation. I wish to appreciate the Matsakha Development Group for the effort they have made as a team. The CBO joined hands together and build the house for one of the community members called Meshack.

Meshack had delayed to marry for a very long time. But since the group build him a house, he immediately married and now he has a family. Actually, this is a great development in our community at large for recognizing the needy. I urge the other members of the community to form groups that will assist them to acquire loans, do business and do Table Banking that will enable you at least bring something on the table.

My name is John Chepsanyi ,I’m the area assistant chief of Matsakha Sublocation, Malava Sub-county in Kakamega County. I wish to thank the Organization of Friendly Water for promoting the community of Matsakha by training and engaging them in different income generating projects like making interlocking and straight Blocks, permagardens, soap making, water filters and proving hand washing station to the community. Friendly Water makes health an money earning benefits for my community.

Planning

As the say go” Planning without action is futile; action without planning is fatal.”

The importance of both planning and acting can never be overstated, and this is the strength of KEVUKIMA development group in Vigulu. Before taking any action, the entire group meets for deliberation, agreements and responsibilities towards a common goal. The Chairperson takes the lead role in making sure that every member understands what is and will be happening upon execution of a project.

The Matsakha Development Group attends and makes a presentation at a local baraza (public meeting) held by a local Chief. This allows for a good exchange of ideas and planning between villagers, officials, and organizations like MDG.

Every year, each CBO hosts a multi-day Community Engagement process to discuss the work that has been accomplished and what lays ahead. We ask for a minimum of ten people from each village to attend. Crowds can be up to 250 people! And everyone has time to be heard.

Thank you for your time! We can't get this work done without YOU.

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Subject: 👍Our ALL TESTIMONIALS Newsletter!!👋