2020 was a year for Sawa Sawa to consolidate projects previously started. Our first was to fine tune the new clean water borehole system by trouble shooting the problems in the delivery and storage of the water and also provide for an educational component to emphasize the importance of clean water and its appropriate use primarily by the school children and the elderly. The “water committee” was also started to both monitor the entire system as well as make plans for an appropriate way to ensure funds are secured to maintain the system into the future.

We had several meetings with the Elders and other community leaders to ensure that a responsible step wise plan was in place to insure no student would be without good nutrition as well. With these supports and community / student volunteers the beginning and implementation of a school lunch program was in place. The agricultural educators and the school leadership needed to come together to make this happen. The rainwater system now could be diverted to growing of crops as the borehole took over supplying clean water. The community was challenged to demonstrate their willingness to share the burden of cost for this project in partnership with Sawa Sawa and see it evolve responsibly. This includes the growing of crops, the cooking of meals, and putting an irrigation system in place.

The table banking units spearheaded by the agricultural program celebrated their successes with us through multiple “share outs”. These many meetings throughout the local community highlighted how the new agricultural methods were successfully being implemented by the farmers and how they were also being supported financially as they invested in each other’s personal projects. These “celebrations” amplified a message of achievement and community pride in one another’s shared success.

In addition to our traditional art exploration classes this year Sawa Sawa introduced “vacation camp” during the school break. Two separate courses were created with local Kenyan talent. One being music and song led by Thelma Muzuki and paper making and wire sculpture by Kennedy Alaro. Both of these were successfully inspired and coordinated by these Kenyans supported thru Sawa Sawa.