U
n
icef
D
oreas Ejore, 16, feels the fresh water in his hands,
directing the cooling drops towards his mouth.
The water comes from a UNICEF-supported hand
pump in Napeililim Mixed Primary School, Lodwar,
in the Turkana district of Kenya – what a relief
when the temperature is close to 40
o
C.
Despite being on the shores of Lake Turkana – the fourth
largest lake in Africa and a source of livelihood for the fishing
community – access to safe drinking water has been a problem
for the community for many years.
Lake Turkana is a saltwater lake with high levels of fluoride
and the water is unsafe for consumption. However, with no
other alternatives, residents have been forced to drink from
here in order to survive. The continued use of lake water causes
deformities of the limbs because of the high salinity and fluoride.
Jacinta Asinyen, a mother of six, sits under a palm tree
facing the lake. She weaves a basket for sale. Her youngest son,
three-year-old Sunday, sits next to her watching his mother’s
handiwork. Three of her children, including Sunday, have limb
deformities such as bow legs or knock knees, which mean they
have difficulties walking and moving about.
“
I used this salty water for drinking and cooking,” Jacinta says,
“
and I realised that my children were having health problems,
especially with their bones.”
Along with lack of access to clean water, lack of proper
sanitation and hygiene facilities has been a major challenge.
Waterborne diarrheal diseases, such as cholera, have also been
common; recurrent outbreaks have contributed to the high
child-mortality rates in Turkana.
The project in Turkana taps a natural, safe and reliable
underground spring, and further filtration provides clean water.
An environmentally friendly, solar-powered system pumps the
water to a reservoir closer to the community. Water is then
delivered to beneficiary communities and several thousand
people through a 26km pipeline.
Water for life
WORDS DAISY SEREM & NINA BULL JØRGENSEN
A new initiative that brings clean
water to the community is
changing lives in Kenyan villages
Access to improved drinking water has made a real difference
in the community, especially for the children. Today, for only
10
Kenyan shillings, Jacinta fills her 20-litre jerrycan at one of
the local water kiosks before she returns to her home just a few
minutes away.
Every day 1,800 children under the age of five die from
waterborne diseases.
Buy a bottle of water and save lives!
For every bottle of water you buy on your flights withNorwegian,
NOK1 goes to support UNICEF’s water, sanitation and hygiene
projects worldwide. Every penny, every drop of water, is important
and saves lives! You can also give your support through unicef.no
Norwegian and UNICEF have been working together for children since 2007. As a
Signature Partner to UNICEF, Norwegian supports the organisation’s work giving
children the best possible start in life, and a safe and happy childhood.
Doreas Ejore, 16, drinks water from a
UNICEF-supported hand pump in the
Turkana district of Kenya
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