Wells are not always the answer to improve water and sanitation. There are 3 unused wells in Burangi placed by well-intended organizations – they are all brackish. Thousands of dollars have been wasted. In Burangi, as with many African nations, there are robust rainy seasons. Rainwater can be stored to not only offset a water shortage during the draught, but also provide clean water for drinking and crop irrigation. The Sabaki River, a river infested with parasites causing water borne illness, surrounds the villagers in Burangi. Before this grant, the Sabaki River was the only water source during the cyclical droughts. But that is the case no longer. 

This Rotarian effort used an empowerment strategy. An essential component of the empowerment model is the active participation of community members in all aspects of the project, giving them control of their future. That control restores respect and dignity. Respect and dignity drives sustainable improvements of day-to-day living. These villagers have worked alongside Rotarians for over 3 years, strategically planning solutions to their problems.

Life in Burangi Kenya is hard, but the people are resilient and hopeful, despite the fact that they experience absolute poverty. But poverty does not stop this community from wanting the same things we want – food, clean water, shelter, a way to make a living and health care – just the basic needs of life. The members of the Burangi community have demonstrated the success of an empowerment model. One of many examples includes their efforts to clear 10 miles of dense bush with hand tools to build a road. They did not give up despite the road had 2 low-lying areas that flooded during the rainy season making it unusable. At that juncture, the community and the Rotary applied for the global grant.