The Water Project: Uthini

Middle school youth attending SpringForth 2008 were challenged to raise money to build a weir (sand dam) to bring clean water to the village of Uthini in Kenya.

These youth, with your help, will change lives in over 520 households - more than 2,000 people!

Living Water

Jesus said, "If you give even a cup of cold water in my name..."

Water is a powerful symbol in the Bible. Water cleanses, water sustains life, and the water Jesus brings will change you forever.

We're asking you to help us provide life sustaining clean water, so the Africa Brotherhood Church can continue to introduce Jesus, who brings the true living water!

The work to give access to clean water is about loving our neighbours, in deed and with the truth. By joining in the effort to build this water project, you'll have the opportunity to change someone's life forever!

About the Water Project:

The Problem:

The people of Uthini don't have good access to a reliable source of clean water.

In the dry season (most of the year) the people of Uthini travel very long distances to congested water sources. If there is moderately clean water, they pay huge fees to have access to it - just buckets at a time. But often times, the only water available is dirty and full of disease.

The problems caused by dirty water are many.

By providing a water source nearby, the entire village's health will improve. Women and girls - who gather water most often - can return to school and work. With your help, they can break the cycle of poverty.

Read more about "Why Water" is so vital here...

The Solution:

The Africa Brotherhood Church, our partner in the field, will be constructing repairing a weir (sand dam) across one of the seasonal rivers near Uthini. As of May 28th, 2008 the project has been expanded to also include a 100,000 liter drinking water tank to be built directly adjacent to the church.

A weir is used to catch rainwater that normally flows by in the rainy season. A weir can store up to 2 million litres of water. By creating a mini-reservoir, the weirs raise the water table enough to allow shallow wells to provide water for the community.

Livestock also benefit. And finally, the irrigation of crops becomes possible. This will make a huge difference in Uthini, where they rely on farming to survive.

Using the new water tank, rainwater will be collected, filtered and disinfected for drinking, resulting in a dramatic increase in overall health. Infant mortality rates, as one example, have been shown in the past to be dramatically lower!

This project will benefit 2,000 people - 300 men, 500 women, & 1,200 youth and children - in Uthini.

Read more about how wiers work...

Getting Involved at SpringForth:

The Middle School Youth at SpringForth 2008 are each being asked to get got personally involved by making a donation.

During the SpringForth event, money was collected and will be used to fund the construction of this water project. Over $2,500 was raised...a SpringForth record!!

100% of the money raised will help the Uthini community!

After SpringForth: A bit more to go...

We're now asking every youth group in Atlantic Canada to take up the challenge to raise the remaining money needed to fund the Uthini Water Project.

You can inspire your youth group and your church to get involved! You can make an enourmous impact in thousands of lives!!

Once this first project is completly funded, there are many more villages waiting for their own water projects. The more groups that get involved the bigger the difference we can make.

One great way to get started is to take "The Water Challenge". You can read more about "The Water Challenge" here.

To find out more, contact us today!