Kenya (LWI/MNN) — Kenya's mortality rate among children under
five years old is primarily blamed on waterborne diseases like gastroenteritis,
diarrhea, malaria, and amoebic dysentery.
The contamination frequently
stems from human and livestock waste, despite the sanitary disposal methods of
most of the population.
In rural areas, this problem
increases significantly. Living Water
International just returned from a water project in Ithanga, in the interior
of Thika district.
The arid region is about 50 kilometers from Thika Town, northeast of Nairobi.
Ithanga is extremely isolated from the sprawling
Del Monte pineapple farm.
The population of the area is mainly subsistence farmers, though some are
employed by the Del Monte or Kakuzi farms.
In this area stands a busy health center. According to the nursing officer,
HIV/AIDS is very prevalent in the area, and the comprehensive care centre is
always full. "We have depended on rain water catchments for hospital
operations," said Kingori Mishack, Ithanga Clinic's head nurse. "This new
borehole is good news to everyone!"
The LWI team was able to revisit the clinic a few weeks after they completed
the well in order to reinforce some of the hygiene and evangelism teachings.
The community is so happy with the new, clean drinking water; some told us that
the waterborne diseases were now "a gone case!"
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