WEMA, KENYA

Wema Children’s Centre & Highway Academy

The Wema Children’s Centre and Highway Academy is an orphanage and school serving over 500 children in Bukembe Village, Kenya—home to approximately 5,000 community members. The campus supports more than 200 orphaned children and educates 300+ local students, making access to safe water, sanitation, and energy essential to daily life.

2017 water infrastructure installations

In 2016, Wema faced a severe water quality crisis. Prolonged drought conditions forced the continued use of contaminated water sources, leading to recurring outbreaks of typhoid and other waterborne illnesses, particularly among children.

The EWB–Chicagoland Professional Chapter (CPC) partnered with Wema through the Engineering Service Corps to address this urgent need.

In March 2017, CPC:

Designed and installed a pressurized water filtration system

Implemented a chlorination unit to ensure safe drinking water

Within months of commissioning, Wema leadership reported a dramatic improvement in public health, with significantly fewer waterborne illnesses across the campus and surrounding community.

Growing Together: Expanding the Partnership

As clean water access improved, additional needs became clear. With community input, CPC expanded the program to address:

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Reliable energy to power water pumps
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Increased water storage capacity
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Expanded water access for the broader community

Improved sanitation and wastewater treatment

Long-term infrastructure planning and development

This led to the approval of an International Community Partnership (ICP) with EWB-USA.

2019 Assessment & Pilot Projects

During an on-site visit in April 2019, CPC:

Strengthened partnerships with EWB-Kenya, Water Mission, and local stakeholders

Conducted assessments for:

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Solar power systems
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Water system expansion
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Rainwater harvesting
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New bathroom facilities
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Installed a pilot rainwater harvesting system to inform future designs

Adapting Through COVID-19 (2020–2022)

While global travel was paused due to the pandemic, CPC continued progress remotely through frequent virtual coordination.

Despite the challenges, the team:

April 2019 CPC Wema team preparing to conduct a drawdown test on a neighboring well

Completed designs for bathrooms and wastewater treatment

Designed a solar array and solar-powered pump system

Planned community-side water system improvements

Supported remote implementation from March 2021 to May 2022

From 2019-2020, the team has identified Phase 1 to be implemented in 2020. Efforts toward fundraising have sharply increased and continue to require volunteer support.

The future of the Wema program is to provide water system enhancements to the Market school, likely to be implemented by 2021, or sooner.

Returning to Wema: Project Completion (June 2022)

April 2019 CPC Wema team stands by the completed rainwater harvesting pilot

After travel restrictions were lifted, CPC returned to Wema in June 2022 to complete Phase 1 implementation.

Results Confirmed by Wema Leadership:

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Solar pump fully operational
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Clean water flowing across the site
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Safe water quality confirmed
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Original 2017 treatment system restored
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Showers functioning in new bathroom facilities

What’s Next: Planned Phase 2 Initiatives

Design for Phase 2 began in September 2022, focusing on sustainability, capacity building, and expanded access.

Girls’ bathroom facility

Visiting the market school during the April 2019 enhanced assessment trip

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Water kiosk tower
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Site drainage improvements
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Additional rainwater storage tanks
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Groundwater infiltration planning
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Expanded community water system
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Water treatment plant upgrades
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Solar system expansion to power the full campus

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Second soak pit design
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Ongoing system performance evaluation
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A Lasting Impact

The Wema partnership is a powerful example of community-driven engineering, demonstrating how clean water, energy, and thoughtful design can improve health, education, and dignity.

This growing collaboration continues to inspire volunteers, partners, and community members alike.