Dwindling sources of village water. Environmental initiatives mitigation approach. Families line up water containers with hope for tomorrow’s water. Today water is gone!
THE ENVIRONMENT: Rotary area of focus with lasting impact on water supplies in Rural Africa. Machakos, Kenya.
The vegetation cover has been negatively impacted, causing water sources to dry up. The villagers trek for miles in search of clean water. They lament hours wasted in search of a basic commodity, the often-contaminated water sources and drying-up creeks and ponds that once used to be the major water supply source.
Villagers point out, often children stay day long without a drink and/or miss school due to water-borne disease illness, with recorded deaths. In addition, children access limited food sources as family’s small rural mixed farming plots are yielding very low output. It’s a major threat to survival in rural villages of Africa; it’s difficult to teach a thirsty and hungry child for an hour; leave alone a full day of school.
All those experiences and facts are well known to Water for Children Africa Inc. (WCA Inc.), a USA-based non-profit organization founded and led by Rotarians. In preparation of the anticipated El Nino rains (a global phenomenon that brings above normal rains), R. Makau (Executive Director for Water for Children Africa Inc.) and a Past President of EL Cajon Sunset Rotary Club, USA organized a call-to-action event in Machakos, Kenya in July 2026. The Environment, Water and Health talk event had leading experts and stake holders including; Rotarians, Community Change Advocated, NGO-Kenya, CAV- USA, MITI Educational Center, Environmentalist Dennis Mutua, who is also President of the Rotary Club of Machakos Green, Rotary Club of Athi Kapiti, President Elect Alfred Sila, AG Njambi, Leaders of Youth for Sustainable Development, Machakos chapter, Community elders and clergy in Machakos region. The event was designed to equip organizations with knowledge and encourage young people across the country to channel their energy into planting and caring for fruit trees and shading trees in primary schools. This movement will improve children’s nutrition, strengthen their immunity and promote environmental conservation which will protect future water supply sources in rural Africa. These organizations like Rotary clubs are our boots on the ground; our role is to equip them with skill sets and resources to ensure efficiency in service delivery. Rotary is a very effective global organization and the clubs in this region will assist us in addressing clean water sources sustainability through environmental initiatives. We are promoting Rotary brand while creating lasting impact as we welcome this added Rotary area of focus. These children will be our future Rotarians.
R. Makau, WCA Inc., further noted in over 35 years in the rural Africa water eco-system, WCA Inc. has witnessed many rural water supply sources disappear with very minimal mitigation efforts as communities lack appropriate skills and resources. This phenomenon presents grave concerns for the mostly poor vulnerable rural communities that are impacted by diminishing water resources that usher in multi-triplicating challenges such as lack of peace, disease outbreak, environmental degradation, economic stagnation with dependency burden and unending regional water rights threats among many aspects. Today’s crucial event that increases environmental knowledge and tree cover in schools is particularly important in regions experiencing low rainfall and other effects associated with global changing weather patterns. WCA Inc and its corroborating partners like Rotary, pledged continued support in environment, water, education and health among other sectors in the Machakos region. Makau noted, at Kitaa Primary school, WCA Inc. has completed a rainwater harvesting system and provided large water storage tanks that benefit the students. However, there’s need for water in other schools.
Community Change Advocates – NGO- Kenya was tasked with coordinating the event at Kwa Kitaa Primary School in Machakos Town, also, stressed the importance of involving learners in tree planting and conservation activities. Working closely with CAV – USA, they are teaching students how to plant, nurture and protect trees to create a generation of environmentally conscious citizens capable of addressing the emerging challenges posed by climate change.
Participants planted avocado and shade trees at the school.
A conversation with the school students at assembly ground. Grade one through nine.
Leader took Grade 5 – 9 boys though life skill exercises, questions and answers on the environment.
Rotarian, environmentalist, Dennis Mutua, said the initiative would provide learners with access to nutritious fruits while giving them practical lessons on tree planting, environmental stewardship and climate action. Rotarian Mutua further noted that schools could also turn fruit farming into a source of income by selling surplus produce and using the proceeds to support school feeding programs and other essential school activities. Kwa Kitaa Primary School Head Teacher Mr. Thomas Mutunga welcomed the initiative, saying it had come at an important time as the school prepares to present its first Grade Nine learners for Junior Secondary national examinations.
Mr. Mutunga said programs that expose learners to practical skills can also help them understand their strengths and identify suitable career pathways, including mathematics and sciences, social sciences and talent-based fields. He appreciated the support to the school and students.
Meanwhile, Rotary Club Athi Kapiti Chapter President Elect Alfred Sila said the program was helping instill values of community service, responsibility and resilience among learners. Rotarian Sila, however, noted that many schools continue to face challenges in implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum, particularly due to inadequate digital learning tools such as computers and library books. He called for increased support to schools to ensure learners have access to the equipment and resources needed to acquire relevant skills in line with the demands of the future.
Rotary Assistant Governor Njambi and the leaders of Youth for Sustainable Development, Machakos chapter (CBO), provided crucial education to young girls and distributed sanitary pads to the students. Career path and problem-solving skill games were conducted among 5th to 9th grade students.
WCA Inc and CAV organization provided large stock of sanitary pads for present and future needs, and all the student boys received wash soap. The school received science calculators among other school supplies. Several students received school fees scholarships in the region. The Rotarians met with the school board, mapped resource availability and conducted a needs assessment for potential future school support. Participants planted avocado and shade trees at the school. The event included a lunch meal provided for the students and school staff.
School board and staff received large supply of sanitary pads, soap, science calculators among other donated school supplies.
The school staff, board of management, clergy and local community leaders monitor sustainability of these school projects. When students experience challenges, established education leadership and cultural protocols are used to provide support to parents and students to ensure projects produce long term community impacts.
As this event is discussed over the airwaves and public space, the overarching message is simple, adults who in the space and time are endowed with resources and skills are called upon to assist our future generation. Injecting resources into Water and Sanitation, Education, Health and the Environment is vital to a stable rural Africa eco-system. WCA Inc. Rotary and partners departed with a transformative promise, that we shall return with more impactful projects as we bridge knowledge and resource gaps. Join us in these efforts www.Waterforchildrenafrica.org or RC El Cajon Sunset, 619 266 0366. (District 5340 Best Small Club, 2025 – 2026). Join our environment efforts to protect and bring water relief to these families.
WCA Inc. leadership and Rotarians joined for a TV interview to commemorate the environmental event’s success.