🚨 A Life-Saving Borehole for 919 People, Homa Bay, Kenya
In the heart of Oneno Community, Konyangosogo Village, located in Kochia ward, Rangwe constituency, Homa Bay County Kenya, upper Korayo, a dangerous and contaminated open borehole is putting hundreds of lives at risk—especially the lives of small children.
“This borehole is a risk to our children. When it rains, it becomes slippery, and anyone can fall inside. It’s 30 meters deep, and the water is not even safe to drink. We are pleading for help to build and secure it.”
— Chief Elijah Warindu, Community Leader
The Problem
The current borehole is completely open and dangerously deep (30 meters).
It is slippery and unstable, especially during rains.
Children cannot safely play nearby.
The water is contaminated and unsafe for drinking or cooking.
Currently, families only use it for washing clothes and utensils.
This community of nearly 919 people is in urgent need of a safe, protected, and clean borehole—a basic right to water, health, and dignity.
âś… Our Proposed Solution
Umoja Greenlands is supporting the construction of a protected borehole system in Oneno. The community has already mobilized local contributions like stones and labor. With modest external funding, we can complete this life-saving water project.
👷‍♂️ Project Components:
Secure borehole structure
Protective cover to prevent accidents
Water purification and drainage solutions
Community training for maintenance
đź“Š Project Budget Breakdown
| Item Description | Quantity/Details | Cost (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| Cement (20 bags incl. transport) | Construction-grade | 20,000 |
| D10 Reinforcement Rods | For structural support | 6,100 |
| Second-hand Iron Sheets (4) | Roofing for borehole structure | 2,400 |
| Sand | For concrete mix | 14,000 |
| Ballast (35 wheelbarrows) | For stabilizing base | 3,000 |
| R6 Rod | Additional reinforcement | 350 |
| Round poles (7) | Support structure | Included |
| Stones (300 ft) | Provided by community | In-kind |
| Binding materials | Provided by community | In-kind |
| Labor | Skilled and community labor | Included |
| Total Estimated Cost | Â | 45,750 KES (~$350 USD) |
🌍 Impact
This project will:
Provide safe, clean water to over 900 people
Prevent deadly accidents from open borehole access
Reduce waterborne illnesses in children and elders
Enable better cooking, hygiene, and food preparation
Support economic and social development in the region
📸 Photos & Work Progress
đź“Š Final Budget After Completion
| Item Description | Cost (KES) |
|---|---|
| Cement (20 bags incl. transport) | 20,000 |
| D10 Reinforcement Rods (original + 4 extra) | 6,100 + 2,500 = 8,600 |
| Marnol (changed to metal cover) | 5,000 |
| Second-hand Iron Sheets (4) | 2,400 |
| Sand | 14,000 |
| Ballast (35 wheelbarrows) | 3,000 |
| R6 Rod | 350 |
| Round poles (7) | 2,100 |
| Skilled Labor (5 days) | 16,000 |
| Total Final Cost | 71,450 KES (~$550 USD) |
This reflects all materials, tools, and labor used in the actual construction and final protection of the borehole.
🧡 Honoring Timothy Adede
This project would not have been possible without the leadership of Timothy Adede.
A certified permaculture teacher and designer, Timothy leads the Kanalo Permaculture Farming Projects, where he trains over 800 farmers and youth in regenerative, ancestral, and ecological practices.
As a trusted partner of Umoja Greenlands, Timothy brought together local knowledge, coordination, and dedication to deliver clean water where it was most urgently needed.
🌍 Estimated Lives Saved Per Year
1. Prevention of Fatal Accidents from Open Borehole
A 30-meter open borehole is a severe hazard, especially in areas with children.
Globally, child drownings and falls into open wells/boreholes are tragically common.
Studies from sub-Saharan Africa suggest 1 in every 1,000 children in high-risk areas may die annually due to unprotected water sources.
đź“Ť Assuming 400 children in the 919-person community:
→ Estimated 1 child death prevented per year from sealing the borehole.
2. Reduced Waterborne Disease Mortality
Diarrhea from unsafe water kills ~485,000 people annually worldwide (WHO).
In rural Kenya, unsafe water is a top 5 cause of death for children under 5.
Clean water access can reduce diarrhea-related deaths by up to 50% (UNICEF, WHO).
đź“Ť Assuming baseline diarrheal mortality of ~1.5 per 1,000 annually in rural settings:
→ Among 919 people, 1–2 lives per year could be saved through reduced waterborne disease.
đź’§ Total Estimated Lives Saved:
2 to 3 lives saved per year directly due to this borehole—primarily children and vulnerable adults.
Over 10 years, this could mean 20 to 30 lives preserved, alongside countless illnesses, injuries, and hardships avoided.
