Water filter distribution in Rongai

We had the opportunity today to participate in a water filter distribution in the Rongai district. We are familiar with this area since we have done work there on prior trips. In 2015, we constructed a church there from the foundation up and participated in the dedication service before we left for home. The first service was held there two days after we left. In Kenya, so things happen slowly and other things, amazingly fast! 

We've been involved in doing hygiene training and water filter distribution on every trip for the last six years. We have seen an improvement in the level of sophistication every year. And this is an area where we have consistently seen the Lord's hand of guidance on SWOK.  One thing I have consistently heard Bill Coble say is that "no one should have to die from drinking water". But that is what happens every day in Kenya and a lot of other places around the world.  When we have done filter distributions in prior years, we have had people tell us that because of having clean water, they won't have to bury any more of their children from waterborne disease! Three of the top killers in Kenya are waterborne diseases, including Cholera, dysentery and Thyphoid.  Having clean drinking water has several other benefits that are less significant but also of great impact.  Some of these are decrease in medical costs, fewer lost workdays if they are fortunate enough to have a job, fewer days lost from school for children, less cost for purchasing bottled water, etc.  The savings impact for a family is significant, particularly when you consider how little money they have to begin with. 

When SWOK started their clean water initiative several years ago, they used commercially available filters that were not an ideal design and were expensive. They solved that problem by designing an improved filter and starting a company to produce filters themselves. They are now able to not only produce those filters to give away themselves but also provide reduced-cost filters for other NGOs to purchase for their needs. And they have been providing filters in the US and other places in response to natural disasters, such as last year's hurricanes in Houston, Florida and Puerto Rico. 

Over the years, we have seen the distribution process streamlined as well. Six years ago, it was a big deal when we could train people and distribute 100 filters. Now, 1000 filters distributed in a day is pretty standard. Today people waited patiently in the hot sun for their turn to get in line.  They were excited to receive their filter and graciously communicated their thankfulness to those who have provided these filters. I know many of you reading this have made contributions of funds specifically for these filters. You are making a significant contribution to changing (and saving!) lives.  Thank you for allowing us to be a messenger for you to participate in this life-changing work.  I know that there are a lot of good organizations that are out drilling wells and participating in clean water efforts.  But no one before SWOK has done such a concentrated effort to affect 100% of the population on such a large scale. 

One of the significant changes we saw today was in the level of involvement of local Kenyans from Rongai in the process. The improved training model that SWOK has developed involves training of local "cluster leaders" who manage a lot of the hands-on training with their community members. Our team functions in conjunction with them to assure the process goes smoothly, but a lot of the trading and preparation has already been accomplished before the actual day of distribution. Today, we were doing the final scheduled distribution in this area, so most of the people already received their kit, and we were "mopping up" so to speak (bad water joke!). We distributed 595 filter kits today, and next Thursday we will be moving on to another area of Rongai to finish up there as well. 

It was a blessing to be involved today in seeing the joy on folks faces.  They truly realize that they have received something that will literally change their lives and in so doing, will improve their standard of living. I don't think I have every had a similar opportunity in the US. And many of you reading this have contributed to this effort financially, either directly by purchasing water filters for distribution or in supporting our trip to do this. Thank you for your support - you are truly making a difference! And if you'd like to contribute to these efforts, you can donate directly to this cause at www.startwithonekenya.org .