Funding Provided by Henkel Technologies in Partnership With CannedWater4kids (CW4K) Helps Water4 Deliver COVID Resilience Project in Kenya, Africa

Children at Ruai Primary School

As in many countries across the globe, COVID-19 hit Africa hard. Hand washing and social distancing were the primary ways for people to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. And yet, many communities lacked the wells needed for safe water vital for drinking and hand washing. A timely contribution by Henkel Technologies, in partnership with CannedWater4kids, enabled Water4 to install the life-saving infrastructure quickly.

This project took place in the rural, indigenous villages of Miungoni, Mwandulia, and Mtune. This region of Kenya is known for poor infrastructure, insufficient agricultural production, and annual droughts and floods. The Digo and Duruma are two minority ethnic groups that reside in this region. None of the three communities targeted by this project had a well, which means these communities, schools, and medical facilities depended on open water sources such as ponds and streams for their water supply.

Not only is the water from these water sources unsafe, but it is also seasonal and subject to weather variations. During the dry seasons and droughts, there is no water. During the rainy seasons, deadly flooding and contaminated water increase waterborne disease fatalities. The villages needed a constant source of safe water.

The impact of this project:

  • 990 people served with safe water
  • 3 new community water wells with a hand pump
  • 4 new handwashing stations at Ruai Primary School in Nairobi
  • 6-month supply of soap
  • Combined training on water, sanitation, and hygiene

About CannedWater4Kids 

CannedWater4Kids (cW4k) is a 501c3 charity based in Sussex, Wisconsin. The organization's purpose is to ensure all children have access to sustainable, clean, safe drinking water. cW4k funds its initiatives with cash donations, grants, and through the North American sales of its premium drinking water in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans and bottles. Ninety-five cents of every water sale helps support, fund, and deliver clean water programs. Projects include assisting Engineers Without Borders in bringing sustainable water purification solutions to the highlands of Guatemala and support for well/water tank and Bio Sand Filter projects in Zambia, Kenya, and Tanzania, Africa. Disaster and hurricane relief efforts include the sending of truckloads of canned drinking water to Michigan, Florida, Puerto Rico, and, most recently, Texas after the devastating 2021 Winter Storm. Visit cannedwater4kids.org

About Water4

Since 2008, Water4 has impacted the lives of over 1.6 million people in more than 30 countries through the power of safe and Living water. Water4 has completed 6,500 water projects through business-building sustainable solutions. Read about Water4's mission around the world at water4.org.

About Henkel

Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations, and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the adhesives market — across all industry segments worldwide. Visit www.henkel.com.

Source: CannedWater4kids