Digging Wells in Kenya

Over the past two years Rotarian Patricia Crossley and Rod Crossley P.Eng. have installed twelve simple wells for rural communities in Western Kenya. This source of clean, safe water usually serves schools, health units and surrounding families.

It is estimated that over seventy percent of sickness in developing countries is caused by water borne diseases. Women walk long distances to carry water from rivers and streams polluted by chemical fertilizers, detergents, human waste and plain dirt. With the communal well, women have more time to grow vegetables, health and hygiene improves.

Our wells are financed by donations from Rotary Clubs and concerned individuals. We can install a well for about $2,000: a bargain indeed. The communities are poor, but they show their gratitude and joy with ceremonies and gifts of bananas, nuts, chickens, eggs and for one community, a live sheep.