Delaware nonprofit digs deep well in Kenya

The Kuku community in Kenya had a water shortage, leading to long lines and unsafe conditions, as families sometimes harvested barely-potable water from nearby holes. When Delaware nonprofit Water is Life Kenya reached out to the remote village, the goal was to change the lives of residents.

The 570-foot Kuku well project took two years and $60,000 in donations to build, making it Water is Life Kenya’s most productive deep-well project yet.

Its the 17th major project for Water is Life, whose deep and shallow wells, rainwater harvesting and pipeline connections provide water to 50,000 people on a daily basis.

The Kuku well produces 13,000 gallons per hour, providing water for 1,700 people and 15,000 livestock. The nonprofit trained local operators to maintain the pumps and monitor the facility, to keep it running after the group left, according to founder Joyce Tannian.