By Abbas Nazil
Access to clean, reliable water is transforming lives across Kenyan communities, thanks to the efforts of Kenya Hope, a Christian ministry dedicated to serving families through a holistic approach rooted in the Gospel of Christ.
While preaching remains central to its mission, Kenya Hope recognizes that meeting the basic physical needs of communities—especially access to safe water—is equally vital in building trust and changing lives.
Steve Holman, the U.S. Director of Kenya Hope, explains that many Kenyan communities are still dependent on rivers, which are often contaminated and unfit for human consumption.
Though Kenya has recently emerged from a prolonged four-year drought, uncertainty looms over when the next one might strike.
During the drought, families were forced to rely on these unsafe rivers, with women and young girls walking miles to fetch water. The burden of collecting and using polluted water became part of daily life.
Kenya Hope addresses this crisis by digging wells and installing solar-powered electric pumps and storage tanks at their Hope Centers.
These systems allow clean water to be distributed not just within the centers, but also to surrounding communities.
Animal troughs are also constructed to support livestock. Holman emphasizes that this shift is life-changing for women and girls, who now have access to safe water near their homes, significantly improving their health, safety, and daily routines.
Beyond meeting physical needs, water access opens doors for spiritual outreach. Kenya Hope believes that demonstrating care through tangible help makes communities more open to the message of the Gospel.
“It’s wrong to not proclaim the gospel,” Holman says, “but it’s ineffective to proclaim the gospel and ignore needs.”
Providing clean water becomes a bridge to sharing Christ’s love—through audio Bibles, the Jesus Film, and home visits by Christian teachers.
Still, the work is not without challenges. The water infrastructure must be durable and secure, with systems simple enough for local use and maintenance.
Theft of parts and lack of trained personnel can hinder the impact of these projects. Holman calls for prayer, especially for capable and committed individuals—particularly Kenyan believers—who can serve as rapid responders to maintain and repair the water systems, ensuring long-term success.
“Our greatest need isn’t just money,” says Holman, “It’s people. God’s work is always done through faithful people living out His message.
We pray for the right brothers and sisters to rise up and serve.”
Through clean water and compassionate service, Kenya Hope continues to bring practical relief and spiritual renewal to the people of Kenya.