Our dream for water began in 2005 when ByGrace Children’s Home was first established. Due to the fact that the Children’s Home is located in Ngong Hills, Kenya on the outskirts of Nairobi, the orphanage does not have access to any government or city authority water source. As a result, donkeys, bicycles, handcarts, expensive, unreliable water from other’s boreholes and the backs of women have been used to convey water to the orphanage day after day.
Three years ago, fundraising for a borehole (a hole or deep shaft used to explore for water, gas, oil, etc.) began. Progress has been made with the help of various fundraisers in the USA (La Mirada, CA).
By mid 2011, ByGrace was finally in a position to drill. After hydrological tests indicated water at a depth of 250 meters, drilling began and water was indeed located! Unfortunately, due to the global financial meltdown, prices have skyrocketed and our preliminary budget is no longer adequate. Since this reality was brought to light, we face the challenge of raising additional funds for the necessary pump, generator (because power is often rationed in the area, and the voltage will often be too low to operate the 5.5 kja pump) and the other challenges of raising the water tanks. The water tower will need to be raised to a height of 15 meters so water will flow with the help of gravity into the home and greenhouse that provides sustenance to the orphanage.
As of this August, we have raised a total of $35,000 and have spent $20,000 on drilling, as well as $10,000 on the pump. We humbly seek matching funds for the generator ($8,000) and the water tower ($25,000). To complete the water project, our total need is $28,000.
Currently, there is famine in Kenya and our goal is to use the well water in the Children’s Home and for farming. We currently serve 80 children and the project has the potential to serve nearly 3,000 surrounding neighbors. There is a great need for water in our community. We plan to sell water at a fair price and use the proceeds to maintain the pump as well as to provide for the children’s care and education. We are working to create a self sustaining model so we can continue our mission.
The management on site at the orphanage, as well as the ByGrace Trust board in the United States are ready to oversee the running of the well, but we are in need of willing brothers and sisters to come alongside us and aid us in achieving this important dream. We pray that you will consider helping ByGrace make this dream a reality. Your contributions are tax-deductible through ByGrace Trust’s 503(c)(3) non-profit status.
With grateful hearts,
ByGrace Trust