Interview with Natasha's Mom
We conducted an interview with Ms. Cherono, the mom of Natasha, one of the students in our project. Ms. Cherono is the woman who informed us of this issue and encouraged us to start Water 4 Sigowet.
How many people live in your village?
500 families (with approximately 7-10 people in a family.)
How many women go to school in your village?
No women go to school, they are occupied looking for water and taking care of the families.
Has anybody in your village died or got extremely sick in your village from drinking dirty water?
Too many to count- they have gotten typhoid and cholera etc., due to drinking dirty river water.
How much time does it take to get the water and go back to the village?
To small streams or drying river, we can sometimes spend to 6 hours queuing up for water.
What do you feel like after coming back to your village from filling up jugs of water?
Exhausted, leaving for water from 8 am to 2 pm.
What type of food do the people in your village eat?
Mostly Ugali and sukuma wiki (Corn Meal and greens (Kales)), potatoes, beans, Poridge (millet flour), Tea, Milk, (some beef and some chicken only on special occasions or for those who can afford it.)
What utensils do they use to eat their food?
They use their hands to eat, cups to drink, gourds to store milk, and special baskets to serve the Ugali.
Are there companies pouring or pumping waste into the water?
No companies in the village.
What religion do the people take part of?
They are mostly Christians (different denominations) Catholics, Methodists etc.
What types of predators are there in the area?
Wild dogs (T9), snakes, hyenas, lions that live in the wild (away from people), and Leopards.
Do the women ever get cuts or get hurt when traveling to get water?
Yes, because most of them are barefooted (no shoes), and there are thorny plants as well along the pathways or trails. The pathways also are difficult to navigate sometimes because they are naturally created and have not been cleared. It can be especially difficult when it rains as some places get pretty slippery.