Water is now flowing in Olobelibel!
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
Last week marked a major milestone in Olobelibel, with water now flowing from a newly opened community borehole.
Two years ago, when our CEO, Janine Edwards, and Chairman, James Stewart, visited Olobelibel, the community told a very different story. Women spoke about the long distances they had to walk across rough terrain to collect water for their families, while men described losing up to 90% of their cattle during periods of extreme drought. Through these conversations, it became clear just how much water scarcity was shaping daily life, affecting everything from health and livelihoods to whether children could attend and remain in school.
Today, that picture is beginning to change.
The new borehole, delivered by Power for the People in partnership with local implementing partner Enkakenya Sidai Initiative, now provides a reliable, locally managed water source for over 500 households, as well as the livestock that families depend on. Designed for the local context, the system combines solar power with a simple digital interface, making it both practical and sustainable.
Watch the video below to see how the new system works.
What does this mean for the community?
Access to water is already opening up new possibilities.
During our CEO Janine's latest visit, she spoke to community members in Olobelibel about the future. They shared how this new access to water could change their daily lives, including:
Opportunities for women's groups, including training and access to revolving loan funds
Strengthening local leadership and enterprise
Expanding access to menstrual, sexual, and reproductive health education
Supporting adult literacy and education initiatives
This supports one of PFP's key principles: that access to water is not an end point, but a foundation that communities can build on. With reliable access to water, communities can make progress across health, education, and livelihoods in ways that reflect their own ambitions and community priorities.
A shared milestone
The opening of the borehole was marked by a community ceremony attended by local leaders, partners, and the Governor of Kajiado County.
Alongside the formal commissioning, there were moments of celebration and reflection, including a traditional ceremony and tree planting. Together, these reflected a strong sense of community ownership and the significance of this milestone.
As the community begins to use and manage this new water source, we look forward to sharing more about how access to water continues to shape daily life in Olobelibel.
