Project Location: Kenya
Project Code: CP KMM0821
The coastal communities in Kikambala and Kwale experience severe water shortage for a period of about 6-9 months annually.
Our Mombasa sponsor site is in the communities of Changamwe, Kikambala, and Kwale on the outskirts of the coastal city of Mombasa. Chalice started the site in 2001 and currently partnered with the Sisters of St. Joseph to run our sponsorship program. They also run two youth rescue centres and orphanages.
Most community members in Kikambala and Kwale are farmers and rely heavily on seasonal rainfall. Typically, the “long rains” are in March to June and the “short rains” from November to December.
The other months are usually dry, but weather patterns are changing. Farmers can no longer rely on seasonal food production. Rivers and streams are going dry, which forces women to walk long distances in search of water. The few available water supplies are often contaminated due to competition with animals, poor sanitation facilities, and pollution.
The coastal communities in Kikambala and Kwale therefore experience severe water shortage for a period of about 6-9 months annually. The poor water quality is especially dangerous for young children and older, vulnerable members of the community.
The Mombasa sponsor site has therefore designed a project to support both communities with clean and safe water for both domestic use and small-scale farming irrigation. The project targets families in both Kikambala and Kwale with more than 1000 people who will directly benefit. Both community water systems will supply the site’s rescue centers, schools, convents, homes, and farms.
In the Kikambala community, the system will pipe water through the Abrahams Education Centre, which is run by the Sisters of St Joseph. From there, the pipe will continue to the nearby villages where Chalice families live. The piping will be done from an existing government water station. The schools will have water on taps, while the families will access the water through three community-based kiosks. To meet daily demand, the site will install a 50m3 pressed steel reservoir on 10m tower located within the school compound.
In the second community, Kwale, a borehole is the only solution. They will drill a 100m-130m deep borehole that will be well sealed from possible contaminants. The borehole will use a hybrid power source: the national grid as well as solar for daytime pumping. Like in Kikambala, they will install a 50m3 pressed steel reservoir on a 10m tower. They will construct a water kiosk inside the Sisters’ Patanane compound. This way, the water pump and kiosk are protected while still providing constant access. Chalice family circles will operate the kiosk, which is also an income source for them.
The total budget for this 12-month construction project is $396,711.35 CAD. This includes preliminary work, the Kikambala pipeline extension, the two elevated tanks, and the water kiosks. It also includes Drilling the Kwale borehole, equipping it, and installing the solar pumping system.
The Sisters of St Joseph congregation have covered the costs of the mapping, planning, studies, design and reports in the proposal stage of this project.
Across the two communities, the Mombasa water project will benefit 300 sponsored families directly and more than a thousand community members. The project will increase access to clean and safe water, enhance food production through irrigation, and reduce waterborne diseases. It will also save women and children from traveling longer distances in search of water.
Budget in Canadian Funds: $396,711.35 CAD
Please note that any donations that exceed the request will be used to fund other community projects that may arise.
