The students of Ogiek Kwanza have asked for your help. Thanks to generous supporters we have already raised 60% of the funds needed to help build a borehole in their community. With just under $7,000 to go, your support can turn their hopes into a reality. Join us in the mission to bring safe, reliable water to their school and community
The Ogiek Kwanza Community
In 2009, thousands of indigenous Ogiek people were displaced from their homes in the Mau Forest by the Kenyan governmnet. Since being allowed to return to their native home, they have faced major challenges rebuilding their community. For the past five years, EWBBU has been working with the community to bring clean water to local primary and secondary schools.
The Problem: Lack of Acess to Clean Water
Today, the Ogiek Kwanza Secondary School still lacks to two essentials: a clean and sufficient water supply and access to technology. Our current project will implement a borehole at the school, where 6,000 families struggle with daily water shortages. Students, especially the daughters of households, are forced to walk upwards of 6-8 km a day to reach a water source. On the way, they often facing serious risks, like sexual violence, leading to teen pregnancies and educations cut short. Their current water sources include shallow wells or springs that are often contaminated. As climate change extends the dry season, the need for a reliable water source has never been more urgent.
The current water source used by the Ogiek-Kwanza community is shallow, unreliable, and dries after two weeks of no rain. With a dry season that lasts months and is only becoming less predictable with climate change, a new solution is needed.
The Problem: Lack of Access to Technology
In addition to the water crisis, Ogiek Kwanza Secondary School lacks access to the digital tools essential for a modern education. Without computers or experience using them, students are cut off from opportunities in technology, engineering, and global learning. This digital divide limits their academic growth and future career prospects in an increasingly connected world.
The Solution: Borehole Implementation
Your donation helps bring a clean water source to the Ogiek-Kwanza School Community through a sustainable solution. We are constructing a borehole: a deep, narrow hole drilled into the ground, with a pump to bring clean water to the community from underground aquifers, successful through the dry seasons.
EWB-BU is not just implementing a borehole, we are investing in a lasting solution. By pairing construction with hands-on education in maintenance, we will empower the community to manage and sustain their water system for generations to come. The borehole well will be motorized and powered sustainably to ensure reliability. It will also be located centrally so students no longer have to walk up to 8 km a day to access water. Every dollar brings us closer to a future where safe water is not just a privilege, but a guarantee.
Your donation also supports our mission to bring technology to the Ogiek-Kwanza school community in Tinet, Kenya. EWBBU has partnered with the Engineering IT staff, who are donating used computers from the department to the Ogiek Kwanza secondary school. We are equipping these computers with the tools to learn programming languages and engineering software--skills that can open doors to higher education and future careers in technology and innovation.
Through a hands-on workshop, we aim to spark curiosity, build digital literacy, and empower students with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly connected world. With your help, we’re not just providing access to technology, we are investing in the future of a generation. The laptops are ready; we now need your support to fund their safe delivery to the school!
Meet some students at the Ogiek Kwanza Secondary School
Future engineers, doctors, and leaders
Joyline Cherotich
Joyline is a dedicated student in the final year of secondary school with dreams of becoming a doctor. She's especially passionate about chemistry and biology, subjects that inspire her future goals.
Collins Kosgei
Collin is in the final year of his secondary schooling. His favorite subjects are mathematics and physics, and he hopes to become an engineer to design solutions for real-world challenges.
Emmanuel Langat
Emmanuel is in his last year of secondary schooling with a passion for mathematics and chemistry. He hopes to become a mathematics lecturer, inspiring future students.
Engineers Without Borders at Boston University
EWB Boston University is a non-profit, student-led humanitarian aid organization dedicated to creating sustainable engineering solutions that address real-world challenges in underserved communities. Each project we undertake is made possible by the generosity of people like you.
Your constant support is the only way our projects become a reality. Help us change the world together by donating today!
We are only $7,000 short of implementing the borehole in August 2025. Every dollar helps to bring these life-changing resources to the Ogiek Kwanza community. Please consider donating and sharing to help our mission in ensuring a clean and sufficient water supply accessible to all.
Students at the Ogiek Kwanza Secondary School
The Ogiek Kwanza Community and EWBBU team
Ogiek Kwanza Secondary School Students and the EWBBU team
The principal of the Ogiek Kwanza Primary School and the EWBBU team with EWBBU's children's book, The Animal Engineers: Clean Water Edition.
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