Kshs. 2million Water Project in Nyatigo, Kisumu
Area residents of Nyatigo Village in Kombewa Division of Kisumu District require access to clean water to combat rising cases of diseases such as typhoid, amoebiosis, dysentery, cholera, epidemiological complications and many other water borne diseases. Although Nyatigo village is in the vicinity of Lake Victoria (10kms from the shores) it is afflicted by drought and frequent food shortages and scarcity due to failing subsistence agriculture. Although the village has rich and fertile soils, the rainfall pattern is erratic and poorly distributed. The area though close to the second largest freshwater body in the world (Lake Victoria) is so famished of the same commodity. This paradox can be explained from the location of Lake Victoria sitting in-between highlands of both the Eastern Rift Valley and the Western Rift Valley.

The western side of Lake Victoria receives high amounts of rainfall due to high moisture from Atlantic Ocean while the Eastern area of the Lake – where Nyatigo Village and its environs is located- receives very little rains owing to the Rain shadow phenomenon brought about by moisture from Indian Ocean precipitating on the higher altitudes of Mt. Kenya, highlands of the Rift Valley, the Mau Escarpments – all far away from Lake Victoria.

This climatic condition has subjected the inhabitants to drought and frequent food shortages and scarcity due to failing subsistence agriculture. As this area experiences erratic rainfall pattern, much of the farming is not for commercial purposes. Most farmers are peasants who grow crops like maize and millet for subsistence. They also keep a few livestock for milk, and subsistence agriculture. A disproportionate 95% of the population lives below poverty line - earning less that US $ 1 equivalent daily. Several destitute families face abject poverty levels.

However, the area has potential for off-season growing of fruits and vegetables - especially kale and tomatoes which can be a ready source of alternative income. It is with this realization that EABL Foundation through its 'Water of Life Programme"' invested Kshs. 2 million in constructing 2 boreholes that will see the 3000 area residents access clean water.

It is expected that availability of water will have a triple impact on the community: reducing the incidence of water-borne diseases; improving opportunities for job creation through off season growing of fruits and vegetable; release time otherwise spent by women and children in search of water for alternative income generating activities. It is further expected that these accrued benefits shall have a positive 'ripple effect' on household savings.