A reliable water supply in Osupukiai village

What started out as a simple mission to build a well 2 years ago, has flourished into a sprawling community programme in Osupukiai village, Narok County, Kenya.

In 2021, thanks to the support of Joseph Flach, Power for the People established a reliable water supply for the village and surrounding communities, by installing a borehole with solar-powered pumping and water storage of up to 20,000 litres for households. This system is designed for growth and to manage water during extreme weather conditions.

The women of Osupukiai Village are now running the compound and collect income from the water kiosk and through customers that have signed up for domestic water. Surpluses from the sale of water pay for maintenance of the water supply, and go towards further developments such as electricity, table banking, and education. The project creates local skills in maintaining reliable water along with four permanent jobs.

This water project has also impacted surrounding communities such as Elong’o School who can now draw water from Osupukiai to be used to provide warm lunches for the school children and our goal this year is to fully connect the school to the Osupukiai borehole so that they have a fresh water supply. The local women are also set to receive adult literacy education at Elong’o school.  Our ‘Window on the World’ project with Elong’o school established a computer hub and library with access to tablets, power and wifi to help the pupils connect with the wider world.  They have been twinned with St Gilberts School in the UK; pupils have exchanged letters and the head teachers are planning the first zoom call between schools.

Earlier this year, PFP began working with the women of Osupukiai village to help them gain sustainable livelihoods education, which they received through PFP Academy. These women have begun establishing enterprises in goat farming to provide food and milk for the community, ghee making, honey making, bead making and environmental management. They are now accessing further training to help them manage their small businesses more productively.

Meanwhile, the community is also moving forward with a food forest initiative to combat desertification and the village is preparing for the first ever planned medical camp on 7th May
which will be supported by 2 doctors, 4 nurses and extra clinical officers.