Project part of the Salesian Missions ‘Clean Water Initiative’

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Utume in Nairobi, Kenya, has installed a new tank to provide clean water to community members and others, including people who are marginalized, thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project is part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.”

This project has increased the total water storage from approximately 5,200 gallons (25,000 liters) to almost 16,000 gallons (85,000 liters), resolving the previous storage shortfall that had caused frequent outages. Don Bosco Utume is located in Langata, Nairobi, an urban area with a growing population and significant water needs. The climate is semi-arid, with irregular rainfall patterns, making water storage essential for both human consumption and agricultural sustainability.

The community serves approximately 200 residents, including seminarians and staff, while also providing free water to more than 1,000 people each day, including members of the Maasai community and children who live on the street. The previous water tank was insufficient to meet the demands. The borehole pump ran continuously, increasing electricity costs and maintenance expenses. The lack of adequate water storage limited irrigation for agribusiness, affected sports field maintenance and hindered community outreach efforts.

A Salesian noted, “Since the installation of the new storage tank, people report that water remains available even during busy times. Water that used to run out by the afternoon is now consistently available throughout the day. Early readings also indicate that the pump runs approximately 30% less each day. This lowers electricity consumption and reduces wear and tear on the pump, which is exactly what we aimed for.”

The new storage tank is greatly impacting the lives of people in the community, particularly women who are often tasked with finding water sources. Elizabeth is a mother of four, and every day, she and her daughter would wake before sunrise and walk more than three miles to fetch water. They often waited in long lines and were exhausted by the time they got home.

Elizabeth said, “We had to use the little water we had sparingly, as shortages can cause stress and hurt our health. I hoped my children could stay healthy and attend school instead of spending hours fetching water. Before the new tank was installed, the old one at Don Bosco often ran dry by midday. I would arrive and find it empty, forcing us to come back later or walk further to another borehole. This meant missing chores, such as washing clothes, or even delaying cooking.”

She added, “With the new water tank, for the first time, my children can bathe daily, and we all feel cleaner. We still have to carry heavy cans home because the water isn’t piped to our homes. It’s a lot of effort, but at least we don’t have to worry about the tank running out of fuel. If I could have one more thing, it would be a pipeline or even more taps closer to the village. This project has shown us that improvements are possible. For now, I am thankful that, although we must walk to Don Bosco, water is available there. I genuinely feel optimistic about the future. I am very grateful for this gift of water.”

To learn more about the Salesian Missions Clean Water Initiative, go to SalesianMissions.org/water.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Kenya

World Bank – Kenya