Maji Zima is God's gift to us, especially after hearing stories of school children who succumb to illness caused by waterborne diseases in Kenya. We thank God that Maji Zima came to filter our water, says Mrs Josephine Ombogo, the Head Teacher of Gombe Kokulo Mixed secondary school in Kisumu.
Gombe is a mixed secondary school located in Kisumu West County, supported by the community and the county government of Kisumu. The community started the school with the primary objective of sheltering the girl child from early marriage. However, they later opened it to the boy child. The school host about 300 pupils and 13 teachers, and seven subordinate staff.
Gombe Kokulo Secondary School Students catching up after their classes
When the Gombe school was started, water was a significant crisis. Learners would walk long distances in search of water from the river. They lost time and disrupted their studies. The school dug a well to solve this, but the water was dirty and needed treatment. We bought water guard to treat our water for cooking and drinking. In addition, we treated water with chlorine without getting the correct measurements, which would make the water taste bad, says Mrs Josephine.
Maji Zima's vision is to ensure everyone has access to safe drinking water and create awareness about waterborne diseases and the danger of drinking unsafe water. Maji Zima helps communities, schools and hospitals by installing water filters. This helps to save on resources. “We boiled water using charcoal, and we were wasting time and resources, explained the head teacher. Maji Zima's water filter installation will ensure that students get clean water and that the communities around, such as the Gombe Kokulu dispensary, get clean water.
Maji Zima Team setting up the MS-MZ water filter
The dispensary serves the Gombe Kokulu community. The water from the borehole serves them too. They are beneficiaries of the water filter installation. More than one thousand people will have access to clean water since our water filter has been filtered. The MS-MZ water filter, filters out all the bacteria and viruses; thus, people will not acquire waterborne diseases.
Even though Gombe water has been filtered, it does not reach the girls' restroom. We request that this be extended to bathrooms so that girls can change and clean themselves during their monthly period. With this, no girls would miss school days and also stay healthy because we have clean water.
The MS-MZ water filter is installed against the main water supply tank
Our work at Gombe Kokulo Mixed secondary school and the Gombe Kokulu community exemplifies the profound impact that access to clean water can have on individuals' lives. As we celebrate the positive outcomes achieved through this initiative, it is crucial to recognize the ongoing commitment we have together with our partners in transforming communities and creating a healthier future for all. With their continued efforts and support, we can envision a world where safe drinking water is accessible to everyone, empowering individuals, schools, and healthcare facilities, and ultimately fostering a brighter future for Kenya.
Author: Elizabeth Auma Oriedi
