Wash

WASH is an acronym for: Water, Sanitation, Hygiene. This programme was initiated by the UN's Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and concerns the improvement of access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities and the promotion of hygiene in developing countries. The programme is primarily aimed at creating a healthy living environment for children.

There are 3 hubs in Oloonkolin; 2 outer hubs and 1 central hub. These will supply everyone in Oloonkolin with clean drinking water. The Clean Drinking Water Project is in full swing thanks to support from, and partnership with various organisations such as: Cordaid, World Vision Kiridoni Kenya, the Zutphen Van der Capellenlaan borough committee, De Waai primary school in Cuijk, Brede School in Middenmeer, etc.

Developments around the central hub of Oloonkolin

The local school's toilet collapsed. Coupled with a complete lack of drinking water in and around the village, that presented a risk to public health. There was a risk of a dangerously rapid increase in the incidence of typhoid and diarrhoea. There was also a risk of the school being shut down by the government.

The objective of the project was to install eight toilets, four hand basins and water reservoirs next to the school. And random placement of water reservoirs so that every villager would have access to around 20 litres per person per day.

That produced immense benefits. Residents, especially women and children, no longer need to undertake incredibly long and highly dangerous journeys to look for drinking water. That means less illness and fewer deaths. Family members need to spend less money on medicines and lose less time looking after victims. Women therefore have more time to work on their economic positions and children no longer miss school unnecessarily.

The initial estimate was that the well would provide clean drinking water for 3,000 residents and about 1,000 residents from neighbouring villages. That forecast was exceeded: the well provides sufficient drinking water for a total of 10,000 people in Oloonkolin and neighbouring villages, such as Mailolong and Kimelok. Of residents with access to drinking water, 75% are women and children. The borehole has the capacity to supply approximately 200,000 litres of water daily, assuming one person needs approximately 20 litres per day.

Results of WASH

The project was completed successfully in June 2017. The required items were transported via sea containers purchased from Sino Trailers, then by road from Mombasa to Oloonkolin. The toilets utilise septic tanks, which prevent contamination of the soil and groundwater. Water can be collected thanks to the installation of roof gutters and rain pipes.

Staff are trained to carry out repairs and hygiene advice is provided. Suitable places for drilling for groundwater were identified via a hydro-geological study. The borehole pump is powered partly by electricity from solar panels. The water that is pumped goes via the water storage tank to the school and then to the Central Water Kiosk.

The following objectives were achieved:

1. There is clean drinking water for 3,000 residents of Oloonkolin and approximately 7,000     residents of neighbouring villages.
2. 400 children can keep attending school because they need not go in search of drinking water.
3. An improvement in general public health.
4. Illnesses caused by a lack of clean drinking water and an unhygienic lifestyle have been           reduced by 100%.
5. Absenteeism from school caused by illnesses associated with a lack of hygiene has been           reduced by 100%.
6. Absenteeism from school (by girls in particular) due to a lack of time because of having to go     in search of water has been reduced by 100%.
7. Women are more independent because they do not have to go in search of drinking water    and have more time to devote to their economic development.

Sustainability

Wash project report in Dutch
The project manager in Kenya's Wash project report in English

Besides the Central village, there are two outdoor cores with a water supply. At one of these, the core 'Oloonkolin-Ntulele', has a borehole laid out, also the water storage tank being built and there is a water pipe made to the school where a water kiosk is built. So that the people there now have clean drinking water. The girls do not need more to run long distances to fetch water in the dirty river full of wild animals. They can now go to school to clean water and the lessons. The parents keep time on now for other work to earn income.

Ecosan-toilet

The first Ecosan toilet has meanwhile been built in Oloonkolin under the guidance of the Ecosan Network Kenya. The toilet is situated close to the Community Centre and is intended for general use as well as for demonstrations. As it happens, these sustainable toilets work a little differently compared to conventional toilets.

The Ecological Sanitation toilet (EcoSan) is based on three fundamental principles:

• Prevention rather than management of environmental pollution.
• Prevention of groundwater contamination.
• Processing of urine and excrement so that it can be safely reused as compost for agricultural and horticultural purposes.
• The next step is to install two Ecosan toilets at the two schools, as well as the central market in Oloonkolin. Subsequently, twenty farmers will receive Ecosan toilets. These farmers will demonstrate the capabilities of the toilets, particularly how they contribute to the production of safe compost for the land. Then it will be the turn of the other residents of the village.

The next step is to install two Ecosan toilets at the two schools, as well as the central market in Oloonkolin. Subsequently, twenty farmers will receive Ecosan toilets. These farmers will demonstrate the capabilities of the toilets, particularly how they contribute to the production of safe compost for the land. Then it will be the turn of the other residents of the village.

We would like to thank all the volunteers and employees, donors and others who helped carry out this project for their efforts and generosity.