Appalachia: Piped Water for 1 Home (#3)
Our implementing partner, DigDeep, identified Appalachia as one of the hot spots in America in which water access remains a critical issue. Communities in parts of rural Appalachia face three key water challenges: lack of household water access, poor water quality, and lack of wastewater services. Appalachia spans 420 counties across 13 states, from southern New York to northern Alabama, and is home to approximately 25 million residents. According to the Economic Innovation Group’s Distressed Community Index, McDowell County in West Virginia has the highest level of distress of any county in the United States, with an index value of 100 on a scale of 0 (most prosperous) to 100 (most distressed). One of 55 counties in West Virginia, McDowell County has a primarily rural population of approximately 18,000.
Appalachia: Piped Water for 2 Homes (#1)
Our implementing partner, DigDeep, identified Appalachia as one of the hot spots in America in which water access remains a critical issue. Communities in parts of rural Appalachia face three key water challenges: lack of household water access, poor water quality, and lack of wastewater services. Appalachia spans 420 counties across 13 states, from southern New York to northern Alabama, and is home to approximately 25 million residents. According to the Economic Innovation Group’s Distressed Community Index, McDowell County in West Virginia has the highest level of distress of any county in the United States, with an index value of 100 on a scale of 0 (most prosperous) to 100 (most distressed). One of 55 counties in West Virginia, McDowell County has a primarily rural population of approximately 18,000.
Entashata Primary School - YR 1
Entashata is in the Loita division in Narok county in southwest Kenya. Loita is located at the border between Kenya and Tanzania. This is an isolated area far from any city or urban development. Loita is one of the most remote areas in Kenya with the least development in road infrastructure, water accessibility, health care facilities and education. A study has shown that 70% of the Loita Maasai community are illiterate. Loita is an Arid and Semi-Arid area it receives an average of between 250mm to 700mm of rainfall annually. The rainfall is not enough to supply water for the Maasai needs. The Entashata community is forced to migrate to areas with ample water supply during the dry season. The Kenyan government has done nothing to help its pastoralism community in the area to alleviate the persistent water needs. Children and women suffer most because of the acute water shortage. Cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and trachoma have over the years increased child mortality. During the dry season, most children at Entashata Primary School relocate to areas with more water.The Entashata community experiences two economic cycles that are dependent on the rainy and/or dry seasons. There is economic stability in the rainy season due to the short-lived abundance of pasture and water while the disaster occurs during the dry season. The drought causes a shortage of pasture and water followed by all manner of livestock and human diseases. Livestock diseases such as foot and mouth spread faster in the area during the dry season as people scramble for the meager water supply in small seasonal streams and sand holes. On average, a family walks for an average of ten kilometers per day to get to the dirty water they use for drinking and cooking. Inter-tribal or inter-village fights arise as people move in search of water.A study by African Conservation Center (ACC) has shown that in the years 2009- 2010 for example, Kajiado and Narok districts which are occupied by the Maasai pastoralist, lost 80% of their livestock because of a drought, therefore increasing poverty levels in the area. Etashata’s community is a typical example of such climate change and drought-driven poverty with now at least 80% of the residents living on under a dollar per day.
Kasozi Primary School
Kazozi Primary School is located in Nakasongola, Uganda, a dry cattle corridor. There are 500 students and 9 teachers currently at the school on a daily basis.
Kawumba Primary School Latrines
Drink Local Drink Tap, our implementing partner, has been working with Kawumba Primary School and the community for many years. Kawumba school is in dire need of two latrine blocks (VIP- ventilated improved pit latrines) to help 431 students and teachers.
Mlowa & Malinzanga Schools
Mlowa Secondary School is 125 kilometers away from Iringa town in Mlowa Village. It is a day school for boys and a hostel for girls. Mlowa School has an enrollment of 646 students: 345 girls, 301 boys and 24 teachers/staff members. Malinzanga Primary School is nearby Mlowa Secondary. Malinzanga has an enrollment of 688 students: 365 girls, 323 boys and 7 teachers/staff members. Both schools face the same problem- lack of access to safe water!
Ng'ang'ange Secondary School
Ng'ang'ange Secondary School is a government school found within Mdeke village in Kilolo district, Iringa. The school has a total of 254 students, made up of 134 girls and 120 boys, along with 15 teachers and staff members. As with many villages and schools in Iringa, the lack of safe water for Ng'ang'ange School is a major problem. The students currently waste a lot of time fetching water for domestic uses including drinking, cleaning, and cooking.
