1,250 People Receive Clean Water From New Well
Itete, Kenya
There is a region in Western Province, Kenya—south of Bungoma, and near the border between Kakamega and Busia Districts—that is known for their sugar cane. This area is a rural one with sugar and corn growing to the very edge of the dirt road, and many times overhanging into the narrow paths in such a way that it brushes against your vehicle as you drive by. The rows of corn and stalks of sugar cane occasionally give way to meadows of cattle and sheep.
There is a region in Western Province, Kenya—south of Bungoma, and near the border between Kakamega and Busia Districts—that is known for their sugar cane. This area is a rural one with sugar and corn growing to the very edge of the dirt road, and many times overhanging into the narrow paths in such a way that it brushes against your vehicle as you drive by. The rows of corn and stalks of sugar cane occasionally give way to meadows of cattle and sheep.
Driving through this area might remind Americans of the back roads of Iowa or Ohio or any one of the states in America that are still farm-rich with carefully cut sections of land and a dirt road to travel. One major difference, though, that can’t be observed from your car window, is the lack of plumbing and running water to this area. The residents of this area for decades have relied mainly on the rain, and walked 10km (6mi) to the nearest river when rain water wasn’t enough.
On October 26, WCCM was able to dedicate a brand new well in Itete, Kenya to the memory of Eric Coleman and David Ratchford and to the glory of God. This well will be a living memorial, celebrating not only the lives of the men to whom it’s dedicated, but to provide clean drinking and washing water to the people—mostly hard-working farmers—who live nearby.
About 180 farmers and their families will be able to use the well at no cost to provide water for themselves, their cattle, and their sheep. In this area, the average family consists of seven people, meaning this well will service some 1,250 people. Their daily 6 mile trek to the nearest river is a hardship of the past.
The well can be found in Itete, Kenya at 0°23’25.5″N 34°25’32.5″E.
More Pictures from the Dedication
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- The well is pumped by Dr. and Sis. Ratchford for the first time during the dedication of the well.
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- The shelter built around the Itete Well. In the background is the pastor’s house.
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- The pastor’s wife distributes snacks and an orange drink made from the water of the new well to the children’s church.
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- On the left is the pastor’s house that doubles as the children’s church. On the right is the makeshift backdrop tent for the church who congregates under the cool of the tree grove.
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- The Itete church meets under the tree grove.
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- Dr. Bill Wilson speaks encouragement and blessings over the boy to his right. In gratefulness for the well, the boy’s parents have renamed him “Bill Wilson” for the man who organized the construction of the well.
See more stories from Kenya October 2014.