Water is becoming a matter of survival
In southern Kenya, water is not just scarce—it is completely lacking. For the past five years, the region around Ilbisil and Osiligi has seen virtually no rain. Southern Kenya is experiencing its worst drought in over 40 years.
Waterholes have dried up, riverbeds lie fallow, the grass has withered, and the ground is nothing but dust. For families who depend on their livestock and small crops for survival, this means far more than just a bad season: it means the loss of their livelihood, because the drought also takes away their milk, food, and income.
Added to this are the health consequences. If children don’t drink enough over an extended period, their bodies become dehydrated: they become tired, weak, and more susceptible to illness. The brain is particularly sensitive to dehydration; cognitive function, alertness, and concentration all decline.
Children learn more slowly and have a harder time keeping up in class. If the water shortage persists, it can lead to consequences as serious as those caused by malnutrition, such as being underweight, stunted growth, and chronic illnesses.
At ora Kinderhilfe, we are taking concrete steps to address the situation: Several times a month, a tanker truck delivers 6,000 liters of water to the region. At the same time, we support families by providing drip irrigation systems and training so they can better cope with the changing climatic conditions.
In addition, 192 children at the school receive a daily meal and plenty to drink. We also provide the poorest among them with a small breakfast so that they don’t have to start the school day on an empty stomach.
Please help us: Your donation will provide families in Ilbisil and Osiligi with water and give children the chance to grow up healthy.
- 20 euros provides a family with water for a month.
- A donation of 100 euros helps fund the purchase of drip irrigation systems.
Your donation does more than just quench thirst. It saves lives and gives people a future.