Sustainability for the Mary Ward Retreat Centre – Water Access
Partner | Loreto Eastern Africa Province
Location | Nairobi, Kenya
Overview
This project builds on the success of previous missions München supported sustainability work conducted at the Mary Ward Retreat Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.
However, drought and water scarcity remain very real issues in Kenya. With the support of missioMünchen once again, the construction of an underground tank to collect precious rainwater has been identified by the centre as an effective way to reduce the impact of these issues. Better access to water will also increase food production and income generated from the centre’s farm.
The purpose of the Mary Ward Retreat Centre is to facilitate the psychological and leadership development of people in Kenya and throughout the world. This project will enable the centre to focus on its core mission rather than channelling its energies and limited finance into securing food resources and funds for the centre’s ever-growing utility costs.
Challenges
Water scarcity is ever present in the day-to-day lives of people in Kenya. The solarised borehole pump installed in 2021 has strengthened the centre’s ability to access sufficient water supply, however, during dry periods there is always a risk of it being overworked and breaking down.
Without better access to water, it is difficult to maintain the retreat centre’s grounds and farm, both very important aspects of the centre’s viability.
Impact
It is anticipated that the construction of an underground water tank, pump and guttering system to collect and store rainwater at the Mary Ward Retreat Centre will create an alternative and reliable supply of water and thereby reduce the effect of drought and water scarcity.
An underground water tank will help maintain the retreat centre’s grounds and farm, and the water collection will minimise the risk of overworking the borehole pump, particularly as the centre begins to operate at full capacity.
The project will enable the Mary Ward Retreat Centre to reduce its overhead costs, while simultaneously increasing food production on the farm. The profits accrued from the sale of excess farm produce will increase the income of the centre and make it more self-reliant and financially sustainable.
The project will also empower local young people, particularly women, by providing employment opportunities, a source of income and fresh produce. The positive impact of this employment will also be felt by the families of these young people whose income will contribute to family expenses.
Activities
This project will focus on the following activities:
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Construction of an underground water tank, pump and guttering system to collect and store rainwater at the Mary Ward Retreat Centre and its farm to create an alternative and reliable supply of water.
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Continuing to supply the retreat centre with fresh quality produce.
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Selling farm produce not used by the retreat centre itself to people from neighbouring communities, guests, agri-business firms and local business people, generating income to cover some of the overhead expenses of the centre.
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Training and employing farm workers in sustainable farming.
Mary Ward International Australia thanks Missio München for their generous support of this project.
Nyumbani Village Scholarships
Partner | Loreto Eastern Africa Province
Location | Nyumbani, Kenya
Overview
Nyumbani Village is situated in the Kitui District, Eastern Province of Kenya. Established in 2004, the village provides a stable home for those most vulnerable. Currently, up to 1,000 children and 100 grandparents displaced by the Kenya AIDS epidemic live in small cottage units as families. HIV/AIDS is still an enormous challenge in Kenya, with over 120,000 Kenyan children under the age of 14 infected with AIDS and an estimated 850,000 Kenyan children orphaned due to AIDS.
To help break the cycle of poverty, Nyumbani Village also provides residents with comprehensive medical care, education, psychosocial support, and food. The educational opportunities within the village include access to a primary school, secondary school, and a vocational training centre. However, some students pursue courses not offered at the vocational training centre, while others seek higher learning through university or college.
This project specifically aims to assist three students pursuing diploma-level courses at universities within Kenya.
Challenges
Over 3,200 immunosuppressant children either live in Nyumbani Village or are beneficiaries of Nyumbani programs. To protect this vulnerable community during the pandemic, the village temporarily closed its doors to visitors. At times, this has meant the students have not been able to return home during the lockdown.
Similarly, the universities and colleges closed intermittently. Although they introduced online learning for students, it has been difficult for them to keep up with the challenges of staggered education and limited contact with teaching staff. Promisingly, all recipients have resumed onsite classes and are well underway to completing the semester coursework.
Impact
This project’s impact is life-changing. Once a student has received an education, they can seek skilled employment. This goes on to benefit the village. As has happened in the past, successful students can afford to withdraw their siblings and grandparents from Nyumbani Village and care for them, thereby creating room for another child in need to be supported.
Activities
- Provide quality tertiary education scholarships to three orphaned young people from the Nyumbani Village:
– Recipient 1: Diploma in Chemical Engineering
– Recipient 2: Diploma in Supply Chain Management
– Recipient 3: Certificate in Tour Guide Operations - Help young people gain employment or start their own businesses to become self-reliant and financially secure.
