Rainwater Catchment Tanks 

The need for clean water in western Kenya is urgent. Wells are drying up or becoming contaminated, and unsafe water sources have led to health problems—especially for children. Collecting water often falls to school-aged girls, costing them valuable time in the classroom.
In 2022, a District Grant project with Friendly Water for the World (FWW) demonstrated just how powerful access to clean water can be. Rainwater catchment tanks installed at a local school transformed daily life: girls stayed in school, student health improved, and the school rose from one of the lowest-performing in the region to one of the top.
Inspired by this success, the Rotary Club of Bedford set out to expand clean water access to more schools and dispensaries across western Kenyan villages. While new District 9212 regulations introduced in 2024 presented unexpected challenges, our team persevered—adapting plans, building partnerships, and navigating new requirements.
That persistence paid off in May 2025, when Rotary International approved the project—the first Global Grant in Kenya under the new rules. Since then, community meetings have guided installation plans, a local contractor and Rotary Cadre Engineer have overseen construction, and rainwater catchment tanks have been installed at 16 sites. By year’s end, most of the work was complete.
Next year, the project will be finalized with remaining installations, water quality testing, and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) education—ensuring long-term health, sustainability, and opportunity for the communities served.