The FAWCO Foundation Development Grants - an Introduction

The FAWCO Foundation Programs:
One Story of a Project and Passion with a Powerful Result

From an Education Grant to a Development Grant, the circle of giving

MaLinda Hill was a member of FAWCO Member Club AWC of Cologne and a very busy woman.  She was a doctorial candidate majoring in Human Studies, preparing to complete her research for her thesis.  In order to alleviate some of the financial burden associated with pursuing a degree of this magnitude, in 2001, she applied for and was awarded a FAWCO Foundation Ruth St. John Federation Award.  In 2003, MaLinda began the research for her thesis.  She was to evaluate the success the Kugeria Water Project, located in Kenya. 

As she explains:

“In 1984, the Kenyan government began a project to build a water pipeline from the Kii River to the village of Murinduko.  The project, which was originally run by men, failed because of political corruption, widespread misuse of water resources and infighting; farmers with large land holdings prospered while small landowners and needy families suffered.  Now taken over by women, the Kugeria Women’s Water Project (kugeria means "we shall try" in Kikuyu language) is one of the few privately run water management projects.  It furnishes clean water to 260 families (over 2,800 people), is financially solvent and plans to extend services to another 60 families. The pipeline is 11 kilometers long and was built under such adverse condition as minimum government and private funding, difficult terrain, harsh climate, and personal financial problems.  The pipeline has reduced the amount of time spent by women and children fetching water from the river, which is four kilometers away as well as reducing water-borne diseases. It has been a labor of love. The women crossed economic and educational barriers to come together and organize their ambitious project.  One reason for its success is that the women have developed effective water usage regulations that they rigorously maintain.  If someone breaks a regulation, which is known to everyone, the consequences are employed swiftly, a great step forward and an achievement in a country where many live hand-to-mouth and break rules in order to survive.”

MaLinda’s research took her to Murinduko where she met the women who ran the project.  She observed firsthand how their determination and hard work led to the success of the project.  In 2005, AWC of Cologne nominated the Kugeria Women’s Water Project for FAWCO Foundation Development Grant.  The project was awarded the Skills for Life Development Grant.  The funding was used to help build a water tank involving young people in a vocational awareness project for water conservation.  Since then the project has expanded to include a co-op for selling vegetables that they are now able to grow because of the access to clean, safe water.