The Joy Of Water: Upgrade of The Olenchokoine Community Water Supply

This video celebrates the completion of a major repair and upgrade of the Olenchokoine community water supply. This project is the latest chapter of an ongoing relationship between Connection Pointe Church (CPCC) and the village of Olenchokoine. The upgrade was finished extraordinarily quickly and is cause for celebration.

In 2016, CPCC supported the building of a water project (a drilled well, tank, and water distribution building) for the families of Olenchokoine. The water project has been so successful that there have been lengthy queues of women and livestock waiting for water. When CPCC's representatives Lisa and Teddy visited Olenchokoine in January, they saw both the need and the opportunity. KCEA was delighted to partner with CPCC in facilitating this project.

Improving water flow involved laying a larger diameter pipe between the well and the distribution hub (as well as replacing the elevated water reserve tank).  John Keshe excelled in managing this unusually quick and successful project.  It was completed (and this video was sent) within 3 weeks of funds arriving in Kenya!  Olenchokoine women were hired to cook for the plumbing crew. Village boys were hired to help with digging the ~300 ft trenches.  John stayed for two days to oversee critical parts of the project, sleeping in the car.   Of course there were challenges to be overcome.  Transportation of materials ~50 miles from Narok was complicated by bad road conditions during the rainy season.  Furthermore, the generator broke down, requiring an emergency trip to Narok.  But the job got done and the increased water availability is a source of great joy.

You may be interested in the background. Olenchokoine is a small very rural village about 35 miles southeast of Ewaso Ngiro (which is the geographic 'heart' of the KCEA ''family'). John Keshe introduced visitors from Connection Pointe Church (CPCC) to the village of Olenchokoine many years ago, and from that has developed a special relationship between village and church, including building the well in 2016.  The water project benefits not only Olenchokoine but the small adjacent village of Elangata Enterit. Families of 7 KCEA students (and alumni) live in these villages (Jacklyne, Esther N, Esther P, Teresia, Soila, Kimberly, Silvia).  

(John Keshe just uploaded some supplemental video that gives you a better feel for the work itself, 6/22/23)