Introduction: Water — The Foundation of Life
In many rural parts of Kenya, clean water is more precious than gold. Women and children often walk for hours under the scorching sun to fetch water from contaminated streams or shallow wells, risking their health every single day. Waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid continue to threaten lives, especially among children under five.
At Elgon Lifeline Support, we believe that access to clean and safe drinking water is a basic human right, not a privilege. Our mission is simple yet profound — to bring clean water and improved sanitation to the heart of rural communities across Kenya through borehole drilling, rainwater harvesting, and hygiene training programs.
By combining modern technology, community empowerment, and sustainable practices, we are transforming lives — one drop at a time.
The Water Crisis in Rural Kenya Water scarcity remains one of Kenya’s most pressing challenges. According to the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, more than 15 million Kenyans lack access to clean drinking water, and over 20 million do not have basic sanitation facilities. In rural areas, the situation is even worse — families rely on open sources such as rivers, ponds, or unprotected wells often shared with animals.
This lack of access to safe water has devastating consequences. Waterborne diseases account for nearly 80% of hospital visits in rural Kenya. Children miss school due to illness or long distances traveled in search of water, while women spend valuable time that could otherwise be used for income-generating activities.
Beyond health and poverty, the water crisis also affects education, gender equality, and food security. Without water, crops fail, livestock suffer, and communities remain trapped in a cycle of dependency and hardship.
Elgon Lifeline Support recognized that addressing this crisis required a holistic approach — not just providing water, but ensuring long-term sustainability and community ownership.
Our Approach: A Lifeline of Hope
Our clean water and sanitation programs are anchored in three pillars:
- Borehole Drilling – Providing sustainable and reliable water sources.
- Rainwater Harvesting – Harnessing nature’s gift to supplement supply.
- Hygiene and Sanitation Training – Empowering communities to protect their health.
These three approaches together form our WASH initiative (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #6: “Clean Water and Sanitation for All.”
Borehole Drilling: Bringing Water to the Surface
For many rural communities, the construction of a borehole marks the beginning of a new chapter — one filled with health, hope, and dignity. At Elgon Lifeline Support, we have invested in professional drilling equipment and geological surveys to ensure that every borehole we sink provides long-lasting, clean groundwater.
How We Do It
- Site Assessment: We conduct hydrogeological surveys to locate the most viable underground aquifers.
- Community Engagement: Before drilling, we meet with local leaders and residents to ensure community ownership and involvement.
- Drilling & Installation: Using state-of-the-art rigs, we drill deep boreholes fitted with hand pumps or solar-powered systems.
- Testing & Treatment: Water samples are tested to ensure they meet WHO safety standards.
- Training & Handover: Local water committees are trained in borehole maintenance and management.
Impact of Borehole Projects
Each borehole can serve up to 500 households, providing safe water for drinking, cooking, and farming. With reduced walking distances, girls spend more time in school, and women gain more hours for family and work.
In Bungoma County, one of our recent projects brought joy to over 1,200 residents who previously relied on a seasonal river. Today, they have a solar-powered borehole that supplies clean water year-round — transforming their health and livelihoods.
Rainwater Harvesting: Turning Rain into a Resource Rainwater is nature’s most sustainable gift — yet millions of liters go to waste every year. Elgon Lifeline Support installs rainwater harvesting systems in homes, schools, and health centers to capture and store clean rainwater for daily use.
Our systems include roof gutters, storage tanks, and first-flush filtration units to ensure the water collected remains clean and safe.
Why Rainwater Harvesting Works It’s affordable and easy to maintain.
It provides immediate access to clean water, especially during dry seasons.
It reduces pressure on natural water sources like rivers and wells.
It helps schools and clinics maintain hygiene even in drought conditions.
At rural schools in Busia and Trans Nzoia counties, rainwater harvesting tanks have helped reduce absenteeism and improve hygiene among students. Children now drink safe water, wash their hands regularly, and focus on learning without the burden of daily water collection.
Hygiene and Sanitation Training: Changing Habits, Saving Lives Water alone is not enough — without proper hygiene and sanitation practices, the risk of waterborne diseases remains high. That’s why Elgon Lifeline Support integrates hygiene and sanitation training into every water project.
Through community workshops, school outreach programs, and household visits, we teach essential practices such as:
Handwashing with soap at critical times.
Safe water storage and handling.
Proper waste disposal and latrine use.
Menstrual hygiene management for girls.
These trainings not only improve community health but also empower local champions to sustain positive hygiene behaviors long after our teams leave.
In one of our school programs, the introduction of hygiene clubs reduced diarrheal diseases by over 60% within six months — a testament to the power of knowledge and habit change.
The Ripple Effect: Transforming Lives and Communities Every clean water project we implement has a ripple effect far beyond its immediate impact.
Health: Reduced incidence of cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.
Education: Improved attendance, especially among girls.
Gender Equality: Women and girls spend less time fetching water.
Economic Growth: Access to water supports irrigation, livestock, and small businesses.
Community Empowerment: Locals take pride in managing and maintaining their water sources.
For instance, in the village of Chepkube, the installation of a community borehole not only brought safe water but also sparked the growth of small vegetable gardens. Families now grow fresh produce for home consumption and for sale, improving nutrition and income.
Challenges on the Journey While the progress is encouraging, challenges remain.
Funding constraints limit how many boreholes we can drill each year.
Climate change has caused unpredictable rainfall patterns, affecting rainwater harvesting efforts.
Maintenance costs for pumps and tanks can be high for some communities.
Despite these challenges, Elgon Lifeline Support continues to innovate — integrating solar energy, smart water monitoring, and community savings groups to ensure long-term sustainability.
We are also expanding partnerships with county governments, corporate sponsors, and international donors who share our vision for a water-secure Kenya.
Sustainability: Building a Future that Lasts Our work doesn’t end when water starts flowing. Sustainability is built into every project from day one.
We train Water User Committees to manage and repair their boreholes, establish small savings funds for maintenance, and ensure every community takes full ownership of its water point.
By promoting environmentally responsible practices — such as tree planting around boreholes to protect recharge zones — we also safeguard Kenya’s fragile ecosystems.
Every drop saved, every tree planted, and every child who drinks safe water today contributes to a healthier, greener, and more resilient future.
How You Can Support Elgon Lifeline Support Your support can help bring clean water and hope to thousands more families across Kenya.
Here’s how you can get involved:
Donate: Every contribution counts. Even $10 can provide a child with clean water for a month.
Partner with Us: Corporate partners and NGOs can fund boreholes or school sanitation projects.
Volunteer: Join our community outreach teams and make a direct impact on the ground.
Share Our Story: Spread awareness about our mission to friends, schools, and organizations.
Transparency and accountability are at the heart of everything we do — we ensure that every donor can trace their contribution to real, measurable impact.
Conclusion: Water for Life, Hope for All At Elgon Lifeline Support, we have seen firsthand how clean water changes everything. It restores dignity, protects health, empowers women, and fuels education and economic growth.
Our vision is clear — a Kenya where every child drinks safe water, every mother can care for her family without fear of disease, and every community thrives in good health and hope.
Together, we can make this vision a reality. Join us in building a future where clean water and sanitation are no longer dreams, but daily realities — one borehole, one tank, one life at a time.
