Support the Nature Embassy: Fight Water Crisis

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to view our fundraiser! Please read this to understand why we need your help and what your donation will be used for.

The Nature Embassy is a community-organized and -led environmental group located in Laikipia, Kenya. Our group represents three communities and a total of 12 villages: IL-MOTIOK (4 villages), KOIJA (5 villages), and TIAMAMUT (3 villages).

Our local communities are currently facing a severe water scarcity crisis, which has led to a cascade of environmental, social, and economic challenges. The situation has reached a critical point, with rivers drying up, minor taps running dry, and the water table in existing wells dropping significantly. This has forced communities to dig deeper wells, which is both costly and labor-intensive. Additionally, the increased frequency of sandfalls, caused by strong winds and the destruction by wildlife as animals desperately search for water, has further exacerbated the problem.

KEY CHALLENGES:

1. Drying Water Sources

- Rivers and Streams: Once reliable sources of water, many rivers and streams have completely dried up, leaving communities without access to surface water.

- Minor Taps: Community water taps, which were previously a lifeline for many households, have also run dry, forcing people to travel long distances in search of water.

- Declining Groundwater Levels: The water table in existing wells has dropped significantly, requiring wells to be dug deeper. This not only increases the cost of accessing water but also makes it more difficult to maintain a sustainable water supply.

2. Environmental Degradation

- Sandfalls: Strong winds have led to an increase in sandfalls, which can bury wells and other water sources, making them inaccessible.

- Wildlife Destruction: As wildlife struggles to find water, they are increasingly encroaching on human settlements, leading to habitat destruction and conflicts between humans and animals.

3. Economic and Social Impact

-Increased Costs: The need to dig deeper wells and the frequent maintenance required to remove sand from wells and dams have placed a significant financial burden on communities.

- Health Risks: The lack of clean water has led to an increase in waterborne diseases, further straining already limited healthcare resources.

- **Displacement:** In some cases, communities have been forced to relocate in search of water, leading to the disruption of social structures and livelihoods.

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS:

1. Revamping Old Water Catchment Systems

- Water Catchment Rocks: Revitalizing old water catchment rocks can help capture and store rainwater more effectively. These natural structures can be cleaned and reinforced to maximize their water-holding capacity.

- New Water Catchment and Storage Tanks: Constructing new water catchment systems and storage tanks can provide a reliable source of water during the rainy season. These tanks can be strategically placed to collect runoff from roofs, roads, and other surfaces.

2. Increasing Sand Dams

- Construction of New Sand Dams: Building new sand dams in strategic locations can help capture and store water during the rainy season. Sand dams are particularly effective in arid regions as they allow water to seep into the ground, replenishing the aquifer.

- Removing Sand from Old Dams: Regularly removing accumulated sand from existing dams can increase their storage capacity, ensuring that more water is available during the dry season.

In order to solve our water crisis, we will use your donations to begin renovating a rock catchment in the Ilmotiok community. A rock catchment is a rainwater harvesting system that uses existing rock outcrops to collect and store water. This catchment will ensure we can collect and store enough water during the rainy season.

Our eventual goal is to fund drilling boreholes in our communities that will give us more consistent and sustainable access to water.

We need your help to raise funds to follow through with these solutions. Thank you for your support!