ABOUT
Uniting all in God's love without distinction.
WHAT WE DO
Growing Community Roots (GCR) raises funds for water catchment systems, sanitation facilities, community gardens, and tree farms for schools in the poverty-stricken area of West Kenya. Our work helps students stay in school, become educated, and fulfill their human potential.
WHY FOCUS ON WATER?
Water is the source of life. Safe water protects people from a host of diseases. In Kenya, people spend countless hours every day walking for water. Women and children usually bear the burden of water collection, walking miles to the nearest source, which usually is a pool or a stream that likely is contaminated. Typically, girls walk many miles twice a day for water, which means they don’t attend school and remain in poverty.
WHO WE ARE
Growing Community Roots, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, focuses on fundraising working with NGOs. GCR’s partner in West Kenya, IMBO Community Action Program (ICAP) Board of Directors and the Governance Boards of Schools, are responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the clean water catchments, sanitation projects, community gardens, and tree farms for designated schools.
WHY WESTERN KENYA?
Growing Community Roots has an established relationship with leaders of the area. For more information, please go to the History page.
The poverty rate in the District of Rachuonyo is 77 percent. There is little to no water and sanitation infrastructure in the area – individuals, families, schools, and communities don’t have access to a safe water source. Without water, it is almost impossible to develop and sustain a local economy.
WHAT IS THE TOTAL NEED?
Local leaders have identified 36 schools that are in need of rain catchment systems and latrines. It costs approximately $40,000 - $45,000 to provide each school with clean water, sanitation, washing stations, community garden, and a tree farm.