Dear P4P Friend,

“To get water, we would cross into Tanzania to get this precious commodity during the dry season,” Monica, a Kopanga woman, told me. 

“We would walk there four times in a day carrying 20 liters (5 gallons) of water each time, walking for 48 kilometers (30 miles) in a day. This was barely adequate, but we had no option.”

Even though that sounds like an impossible task, during the dry season it can become a necessity.

Accessing clean drinking water is a major challenge across the Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Kopanga/Giribe area is no exception. There are a number of springs in the area, but most are not protected, and the water is unsanitary.

P4P’s Water Committee has worked with the communities to protect two springs in the region, Nyamthong’no spring in Kopanga and Mubachi Spring in Mubachi. Unfortunately, water levels usually go so low during the dry spell that water does not come out through the pipes that were installed. Most communities are forced to draw brown, cloudy water from the ground or walk several miles to a functioning spring.

In 2006, the government dug a water pan in Kopanga to allow the community to fetch water for domestic use and for cattle. The community was to register this water pan and fence it to avoid interference, but this never took place and today it is muddy and unsafe -- just like any other pond in a rural village.

One unique case in Kopanga is the Nyanganira Water pump, which was dug in the early 1990s. The pump eventually broke down and the community was not able to repair it. P4P was approached and helped repair the pump in 2013. Since then, the local water committee has taken very good care of it.

This pump is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and is guarded so it will not be misused. Villagers pay 300 Kenyan shillings (about $3 US) to become members, then pay .20 KES (20 cents US) monthly to access water. Each family is required to have a pit latrine at their home. This has greatly lightened the burden of the women. According to the chairman, Mr. Joshua Ochuka, the pump breaks down approximately every 12 months but because they collect a small amount of money from users, they are able to repair it without struggling.

"The Conscience Screams to Do More"

By Renée Sande

While Mark Kartchner and his wife already lived lives strongly committed to sharing their good fortune with those in need, it was a book that led them to P4P.

The Life You Can Save inspired the Kartchners to research the effectiveness of non-profits in order to make the biggest difference with their contributions. After talking to a few friends about Partnering for Progress’ work, they were highly impressed and wanted to join P4P’s efforts. 

“P4P asks for input from the communities they are serving and is committed to the communities for many, many years to come,” said Mark. 

“They are also very conscious about the challenges of helping and approach their work with humility and feedback.”

Mark has served on P4P’s Water Committee for the past year as a very knowledgeable resource: he owns an engineering firm, Kartchner Engineering, which focuses on plumbing, electrical and mechanical engineering. 

“I have always been passionate and felt obligated to give a portion of what I have, and it is amazing to find a local group like P4P that is committed and conscious of the challenges of giving.”

While Mark has never been to Kenya, he volunteered for a month in Northern Nigeria doing lead remediation. The experience opened his eyes to the immense deficiency of these countries. While there, he stayed in a small village with no electricity, thatched roofs and a 10 percent mortality rate among children.

“I was astonished at the level of poverty. The conscience screams to do more.”

Transplants from Boise, Mark and his wife Marianne moved to Spokane in 2004. They have four children, Holland, Cate, Caleb, and Taylor.