A new water pump will improve the lives of women who have to walk long distances to collect fresh supplies.
MAF provided transport for church leaders and members of Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) to northern Kenya for a visit to commission several church projects, including a new borehole that significantly benefits the community of Olturot.
Women in the community have faced numerous challenges, such as miscarriages, while making long trips to fetch water. They often carry heavy containers in extreme heat, enduring significant physical strain.
I would leave at dawn and walk for many kilometres to the water point.
One woman described the plight of her community saying, “I would leave at dawn and walk for many kilometres to the water point.”
“We would wait for many hours for our livestock: the camels, cows, goats, and sheep to quench their thirst first.”
In the Samburu culture, livestock are given priority over humans for water. After the long wait, women would fetch water and begin their journey back home, often arriving late in the afternoon, tired but still needing to care for their children.
Rev Justus Mugambi, the Deputy Bishop at CITAM, officially commissioned the new borehole at the Olturot Mission Centre. He expressed gratitude, saying, “We praise God for His provision for CITAM to drill this borehole.”
The community will benefit from a sustainable water supply, thanks to the solar-powered water pump with an impressive capacity of pumping 19,000 litres of water in per hour from the borehole.
Many women would come to the Sunday service late or even miss out due to the demanding task of searching for water for their families.
Rev Elias Mwaura who was also present at the commissioning expressed his gratitude to MAF for their flights saying, “The MAF flights are very important because they help the team save a lot on time, ensuring the team reach the ground quickly.” Travelling to Marsabit County from Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, takes approximately nine hours or more while a MAF flight only takes two hours.
One woman described the plight of her community saying, “I would leave at dawn and walk for many kilometres to the water point.”
“We would wait for many hours for our livestock: the camels, cows, goats, and sheep to quench their thirst first.”
In the Samburu culture, livestock are given priority over humans for water. After the long wait, women would fetch water and begin their journey back home, often arriving late in the afternoon, tired but still needing to care for their children.
Pastor Terry Wangui Lessir, the missionary pastor at Olturot, was full of joy at the sight of what the Lord had done. She said, “Many women would come to the Sunday service late or even miss out due to the demanding task of searching for water for their families.”
This borehole is an answered prayer for the women and children of Olturot, who previously walked long distances in the scorching sun to fetch water. The new water source is a lifeline for the community. They can now use the water for farming, especially kitchen gardening, to ensure more variety of meals for their households.