Clean water for cool kids, in Kenya.

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1. What are we raising money for:

We are raising the money needed for drilling a borehole well and installing a pump that will supply clean and safe water, all year round, for a nursery and primary school in Kwademu, rural Kenya.

Pupils, their parents and residents from surrounding villages will be able to freely access it, all year round. It is estimated that apart from our 200 pupils, around 5000 people will benefit from the well, especially during the dry season, which lasts from late November to April.
There is no other well in a very wide area, and the only available source of water is a small lake/swamp or rainy water. The lake/swamp dries out during the dry season and the situation becomes critical.

So far we managed to establish location for the well - found by geologists, near the school (on school grounds). We are ready to take the next step but we lack the funds. This is the reason why we set up this crowdfunding campaign!

One of the water tanks we use to collect water.

This crowdfunding campaign is organised by Anna Tyminska for LOTWIF represented by Mirka and Henry Kalume (read about the foundation below). 100% of funds donated will be passed on to the LOTWIF.

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2. How much we need to raise:

The exact cost isn’t known at the moment but it was estimated, after the initial tests of the ground, for about £16,000 (about 20,400$).

We already have about £2,000 donated for the cause by individuals. The crowdfounding campaign fees, transfer fees, and cost of exchanging money will be about 8% so we would like to raise £15,500 in this crowdfunding campaign.

The entire process includes surveys, actual drilling, and installation of a pump. Factors affecting cost include the physical distance from where the drilling company is located, their pricing policies, geological characteristics of the site, the extent of the hole and pump used. There are also several licensing requirements that cost money.

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3. About the school project:

The LOTWIF foundation started building the nursery (2 grades) and primary school (so far 4 grades) in 2015, in an area that had very limited educational facilities.

All funds came from donations from individuals, churches, and sometimes small companies. Four years down the road and there are 7 classrooms, toilets, kitchen, and other facilities. Six teachers and head-teacher are employed by the school and there are almost 200 pupils! The project is growing every year but there is a huge difficulty in supplying the school in water. The pupils come from Kwademu and villages in the surrounding area.

The main issue is the lack of any source of clean and reliable drinking water in the whole area. Water is needed for all purposes and its supply has been a constant challenge. That's why we decided to ask others to help us in digging a borehole well that will for good solve this major problem.

All pupils receive free meals on schooldays, cooked by the mums and helpers in the school kitchen. For many, it's often the only meal they get during the day.

Children during meal time.

There is a small fee for the school (£11.50/ $15) that goes towards teachers wages but it often remains unpaid as parents can't afford it. The foundation tries to find sponsors that would cover the fees and cost of the meals for the most struggling families. Those who can afford it are paying regularly.

LOTWIF is a Christian organisation (NGO) and runs the project according to Christian values. It is welcoming towards and accepts kids from all ethnic groups and religious backgrounds. In both the nursery and the school kids from Christian and Muslim families study and play side by side.

Children in one of the classrooms.

Building and running the school project has been rich in miracles and blessings, but also full of obstacles that required faith and resilience to overcome. The LOTWIF has been blessed with many amazing supporters who donated towards the future of the kids. The project doesn't stop here, it continues to develop the school and by it, the whole community.

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4. About the LOTWIF foundation:

Light of The World International Foundation (LOTWIF) has been operating in Kenya since February 2015. It is a registered in Kenya NGO - Non-governmental Organization.

LOTWIF is a Christian NGO. It runs it's school project according to Christian teachings of loving the neighbours, respect, and hope. It is welcoming and accepts kids from all backgrounds and faiths.

The aim of the LOTWIF is to help vulnerable and less fortunate people in Kenya to become spiritually and economically positively impacted to the point of self-reliance. The foundation has built and is running a nursery and a primary school for unprivileged kids from Kwademu and the surrounding villages. Every year a new pupils start education and others progress to next grades.

Some of the pupils in front of grade 3 classroom.

LOTWF was founded by Henry and Mirka Kalume, and Masai Khaidi. Mirka (originally from Poland) and Henry (from Kenya) are former YWAMers, who met in Youth with a Mission in Uganda in 2011. They fell in love and got married in 2011. Since 2014 they have been fulfilling their calling in Kenya.

Here is a link to a blog written by Henry and Mirka about the work of LOTWIF, where you can find out more about the foundation and read updates: https://mirka-henry.blogspot.com

LOTWIF facebook page link:LOTWIF facebook page

(The foundation also uses the name Light of The World Foundation/ without the word -International- on some of the social media sites)

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5. The community of Kwademu:

The communities of Kwademu and surrounding areas are very unprivileged. There aren't many job opportunities available so meeting even basic needs is a challenge for everyone.

Many of the kids come from single-parent households or are raised by relatives, as parents are not able to look after them.

The local community doesn't have any funds to build a well so we hope that this project will bring not only much need clean water, but also inspire people and bring hope for a better future. Kwademu has a nickname among local residents ''land forgotten by God'', the foundation and its supporters are working very hard to show that this name has nor longer right to exist.

Pupils and teachers on meal time break

Thank you for reading about Kwademu and the school project. We will be grateful and appreciate every, even a very small donation. If you would like to know more about the project or the foundation please do send us an e-mail, check our Facbeook page or the blog LINKS below:

BLOG https://mirka-henry.blogspot.com

LOTWIF FACEBOOK PAGE LINK

Thank you and God bless!