Safe Clean Water at Lutaso Kenya

with quotes from CES Canada Founder, Michael Frederiksen

Five years ago CES Canada in cooperation with the Frederiksen family and network of friends, began startup funding for a special project that would honour the life and memory of my Henning Frederiksen (1922-2013). After some time and despite challenging circumstances along the way, the water is flowing! What began as a project for one school has now changed to the provision of safe clean water for an entire village.

The St Caroli Lwanga Lutaso Safe Water Project was also funded by the Peter Cundill Foundation and later by the Poul Due Jensen Foundation. Implementation and construction was by Water Mission in partnership with CES Canada and CES Kenya. The official opening and dedication took place at St Caroli Lwanga Lutaso SS on August 3, 2019.

Initially, the project was really only meant for the school itself. It was expected to be completed by July 2014. There was no thought to expanding the project to what it has now become. "We did our due diligence by completing two separate hydrogeological survey reports. Each showed that water was available in those locations. What we did not realize was that we were dealing with a terrain so challenging and rock formations that served only to reduce the probability of our success. After two attempts at drilling we knew we were in for a battle of massive geological proportions. We tried and failed and we were forced in 2015 to defer the project. Funding was scarce and only faint hope remained. There had to be a solution; I knew I could never rest until the task was completed."

"I remember Principal, Sister Mary Goretti saying to me, "we live in hope". I was unhappy because that is often the another way of saying, "whatever will be will be". The concept of things taking time to materialize was not something I readily embraced. How could she begin to understand that many people had sacrificed their resources and now there was little to show for it. Yet, in the final analysis, it was ultimately our project to either complete or abandon. Quitting was not an option."

"Two things happened after that. In 2016 the Markison Namanda Mukhwana family offered land and a water source, a natural spring located some 2.5km from St Caroli Lutaso SS. Also in 2016 I reconnected with Water Mission (USA). During a visit to Kenya that year, CES Patron Malik Khaemba and I met with the Kenya Director of Water Mission operations to revisit the sight. The water tested positive and the volume was more than enough for the entire village. The challenge was pumping the water from the source to various locations. It was also found that the water needed to be treated to reduce chloroforms and turbidity. That required serious funding, far more than we had."

"In 2017 I had opportunity to visit Water Mission in Charleston SC with the intent to build connections with this Christian humanitarian organization. After a renewed application there was a stronger interest by both Water Mission Kenya and the local Kenyan community to own the project. Things were set in motion the following year; legal documents, title deeds, the commission of an "on the ground" safe water committee, support from the County, local town council, and most importantly the Chief of Bunyala East sub-county of Navakholo."

And then in September 2018 the good news - Water Mission had received funding from the Pool Due Jensen Foundation, a philanthropic organization located in Denmark. Under the direction and leadership of the patron, CES Kenya things went into high gear. Malik Khaemba, CES Kenya Patron became the driving force, the "commander in chief", the coordinator who brought the key people together. His role was critical in moving things forward. The official opening was August 3, 2019 at St Caroli Lwanga Lutaso SS. The entire student body of Form 4's were present, as were parents, education officials, dignitaries and representatives of the Diocese of Lutaso, CES Canada, CES Kenya, Water Mission, the County and sub-County Governments and Ministry of Natural Resources and Water Management. The well and water treatment centre were blest by prayers and sprinkling of water. Trees were planted and songs were sung. Students performed, speeches were delivered and two plaques were unveiled to commemorate the occasion. After a fantastic meal of ugali, chicken "KooKoo", and sukuma wiki with warm soda and watermelon we called it a day - one I shall never forget.

"During the past week I was happy to have visited Denmark to thank the Poul Due Jensen Foundation for their incredible support for the Lutaso Well Project. I told them how the concept began in 2013 and that solar powered water was now flowing. Clean, treated water accessible to 4 school communities and a village of 4,000 was a reality. A strong local Safe Water Committee had been established to sustain and oversee the water operations. As I made the presentation, I could tell that they were moved and pleased that their work was impacting on so many Kenyan people. It was a privilege to bring greetings to them from Kenya and to offer the Foundation the CES Canada/Kenya Friendship Award." 

The Danish connection is a remarkable story. Poul Due Jensen (1912-77) was born in Bjerringbro Denmark. Totally orphaned by age 17, he began his working career by training as a machine operator. In 1944 he started his own company and with his huge technical skills soon developed a series of water pumps that became the best and most efficient worldwide. He founded Grundfos, so named after his first pump Fos1. Jensen became a philanthropist who used his wealth to build and support local and international community projects. Despite being a relatively small nation of 6 million people, Denmark continues to promote education, community health, dairy and agriculture production in East Africa. The St Caroli Lwanga Lutaso safe water project is a good example of that - a story of private sector humanitarian outreach and partnership between a Danish foundation and a “Dansk familie”.

Henning Frederiksen was born in Copenhagen in 1922. After WWII he travelled northern Europe as a jazz pianist. In 1951 together with his wife Marianne and son Michael (age 4 years) he left Denmark for a new life in Canada. His career as an accountant culminated with a senior position in finance and administration management with the Canadian government. He was a strong supporter of education in developing countries. 

"In 2004 after a thirty three year career in education, Linda and I started Community Education Services (CES) Canada. Our vision was to support education and reduce poverty in western Kenya through secondary school scholarships and the provision of clean water, health care and nutrition to orphaned youth unable to pay school fees. We worked closely with CES Kenya and over the years have established close friendships with this extraordinary "on the ground" action team of co-workers."

There are many lessons to be learned here...like having faith and not losing hope...like finding 'furaha" or joy in adversity...like running the race to the finish line. Yes all that, but in the final analysis there are circumstances in life that are beyond our control. We can only say, "we did it together - at the right time with God's help." 

To those who partnered with us, received our thanks for the important part that you played. Your contribution to CES can only be measured in the number of lives impacted. That number keeps growing and there is no doubt that you are among those who will long be remembered for your heart for Kenyan youth. May God bless you in amazing ways.

CES Canada

August 3, 2019