Globally, more than 2.1 million people, most of them children, die each year from waterborne disease. Of the 1.1 billion people worldwide who lack clean water, 300 million live in Africa—over one third of the continent’s population.

Water cannot be taken for granted. Estimates predict that by the middle of this century some seven billion people in over sixty countries could face water shortages. In Africa, over half the countries are “water-stressed.” This lack of access to water negatively affects the life of vulnerable populations as collecting water becomes a tremendous burden, especially for women and children.

In order to address this growing concern, CWS carries out its Water for Life / Water for All Program in the arid and semiarid regions of Eastern Africa. This program is designed to progressively improve availability, accessibility, and sustainable utilization of water and water-related resources at the community level. To achieve this end, CWSEA and its implementing partners facilitate communities’ identification and development of community-managed multiple water sources to meet both their domestic and economic needs.

Multiple Sources: Since water is a necessary resource for survival, it is important that communities do not rely only on one source. If that source were to disappear, there would be instant crisis. Alternative water sources, which may include water pans, sand dams, or simple techniques such as roof drainages and rain catchments, help to ensure that communities do not overuse a single water source.

Community Ownership and Management: Central to CWSEA’s development strategy is the belief that, in order for marginalized communities to become empowered, they must be involved in the development process. CWSEA and its partners involve communities in all stages of water project identification, design, and implementation. Upon project completion, community members are trained to assume water management responsibilities, ensuring that access to water is in the hands of the people themselves. Community ownership and management is critical if water projects are to be sustained long after CWSEA’s involvement.

Stewardship of the Environment: The human destruction of ecosystems places a tremendous strain on water supplies and will have long-term effects on future water access. In order to help protect the environment, the program integrates traditional water development with environmental education and land/water use management.

Advocacy: In 2006, CWSEA implementing partners involved in water projects in Kenya came together to form the Water for All (Maji kwa Wote) Kenya Network This network will speak with a united voice as it raises concerns to government policy makers about the water needs of Kenya. CWSEA regards water as a responsibility of public service and not as a resource for only the few who can afford to pay for it. This belief means working towards the prevention of policies — such as trade rules that encourage inappropriate privatization and commercialization of services — that narrow the range of available water options and the promotion of the ability local communities to develop their own solutions.