Projects

Listed below are some of the projects that Drilling for Life has done in Kenya.

Kiamwangi Borehole, Gatundu – February 2009
This well was donated by Weaverland Mennonite Church, Ron's home congregation in New Holland, Pennsylvania. The village was extremely overjoyed. This well will supply a very large community with drinking water and small scale irrigation for farming. Town leaders were there everyday along with many other villagers. Drilled to a depth of 160 meters (525 Ft.) deep; 35 gal/min.

Rare Bagaria Community Well – February 2009
To finish this well was one of the most rewarding accomplishments of my life. As we prepared to leave the job site we gathered around the well head for a prayer of dedication. I could barely offer a prayer through my emotions, as I realized what for blessing this will be for future generations. The mothers no longer will have to spend most the day carrying water up the mountain for their families.

This well was drilled at the school and will eventually gravity feed the rest of the community with a population about 485. This village was within the area of conflict and in view of burnt out houses. Many people disappeared or were murdered. Drilled to a depth of 194 meters (636 Ft.) depth; 18 gal./min.

Mennonite Guest House, Westlands – February 2009
Cleaning of pre-existing borehole. This borehole was 15 years old, having been drilled in 1994 and was way due for servicing. It had also been deepened at a later date but had not been cased and therefore needed additional casing. It serves the Mennonite Guest House.

Dadaab Refugee Camp Borehole – UNICEF project – February 2009
Unfortunately this borehole turned out to be a dry well. A second well was also unsuccessful due to a land dispute. Working conditions here were almost unbearable with temperatures in the mid afternoon reaching 38 degrees Celsius with no air movement and a very hot sun. Mid-day lunch was about a two hour welcomed break from the intense heat. Robert, our drill team leader, is a very good short order cook and works tirelessly for the team. Drilled to a depth of 172 meters (564 ft.).

Kimangu Community Water Project, Kithimani – July 2008
This borehole was intended to serve the area residents of Kimangu Market with water for domestic and minor irrigation purposes. At the time, only one water source was available from a shallow borehole 1km away and from Yatta furrow five kilometers away. It was quite a relief for the community residents to have this borehole drilled successfully. They intend to raise more funds to equip it with a water tank and four directional water lines. Drilled to a depth of 150m depth. Water yield: 8m3.

Ketecho Self Help Water Project, Nakuru – February 2008
This borehole was very successful. It was meant to be a 110m borehole but at 54 there was too much water that the geologist recommended casing at that depth. The borehole will serve the local community especially members of the self help group. It will also be used for livestock. 54m depth. Water yield: 10m3

Tingana Village – June 2007
This well was for a village where the people walked very far for water. The entire village including school children watched in disbelief as the water flowed from this well at about 50 gallons per minute. The donkeys would not go to the river to carry water because they could smell the water running from this well as it was being developed. This well brought much joy and hope to this village. This well went approx 200 feet deep.

Vision Village – May 2007
Vision Village is a discipleship training school that houses missionaries in training. This also serves as the headquarters for African Christian Missions International. It also serves as our temporary base/shop for the well drilling operations. We are in need of funding to set up a shop a permanent location where we can operate from. This well went approximately 420 feet deep and yield 20 gallons/minute.

Magagoni Orphanage – May 2007
This well was drilled at a future site of a Magagoni Orphanage. This project is presently under construction and will be able to accommodate up to 200 orphans. It includes dormitories, a school and staff housing. It is operated by African Christians Missions International. There are also approximately 2 acres of fields under cultivation that need irrigation. The well yielded about 10 gallon per minute at a depth of approximately 280 feet. Our batteries were stolen over night due to a heavy rain shower. The sound of the rain on the tin roofs makes stealing easier because it masks the noise of the robbers from the dogs and the guards. God was with us this day because we were able to finish this well in one and a half days in spite of a very difficult formation. We also installed a submersible pump the next day so construction could move forward. Water was being carried approximately one mile.