Update in Kenya

The following is an update from WKU student, Lindsey Filiatreau, who is working in Rukanga, Kenya through January 2010. She is part of a new International Leadership Studies Initiative, and her project is addressing water conservation in the Kasigau area. We are all very proud of her!

"As of now, all the initial survey data has been collected, over 250 surveys were taken and 40 families (those with metal roofs, traveling the farthest to the water point) were chosen to participate in the actual research portion of the project. 20 families have been selected to serve as the experimental group and are working on digging their hole for the installation of the low cost water tank. Last week a meeting was held to explain to all participants how the research process will work (i.e. how to fill out their daily time diaries, etc.) and further explain to those getting the tank the importance of what tasks they can use their harvested rainwater for. I have also been visiting the homes of these families to draw the circle where their holes should be dug for the tank, give them the dimensions of the hole, and deliver the pipes, gutters and pumps necessary for the installation. Kate has also been helping put together the actual plastic tubes for the tank (it takes so much longer than expected, about 2 hours per tank) and helping hammer out the final design for the entire catchment system. By the end of next week the systems should be installed on all 20 homes. If you need any more information I would be happy to elaborate, just wasn't sure how much blabbing you wanted. I've attached a couple of pictures."