 |
| Landscaping the SOS Children's Village Nairobi compound |
In SOS Children's Village Nairobi, the waste water does not necessarily go to waste. Instead, it is treated and recycled in a water treatment plant and is then used to irrigate the vegetable plots and the landscape of the village compound. This helps to keep the compound green, especially in the dry season when rain is rare. It has also attracted income for the village because the lush gardens are sometimes used for formal wedding photographs. Green landscapes are rare in Buru Buru, where the village is located, and young couples visit the village gardens after the formal ceremony in order to use the backdrop in photographs that will be kept for generations.
Twenty one stages of purification
The water purification process is interesting in itself. Beginning at the septic tank, the water is diluted every six months with disinfecting agents which help to kill bacteria. The purification process begins after the residue has been removed by Nairobi council trucks before going through another 21 purification stages in the 21 tanks available in the plant.
 |
| The first stage of water treatment |
Interesting to know is the fact that no purification agents are added to the water throughout the treatment process, but the plant that is grown on the surface of the water, known as "Water Cabbage" serves two very important roles: as a purifying plant and a mosquito repellent.
In the two final stages, you can see very clear and clean water full of frogs and other water animals that live in it. In 1998, fish were added to these two tanks, which increased in numbers for a while, but were soon depleted by the local kingfishers, which are common in the area. This clearly indicates that the water treatment plant is viable. This has also been verified by a group of university students from Nairobi who in 1999 came and did research for four months to ensure that the recycled water would not be harmful to the plants and the people it serves.
Using the clean water to grow vegetables
 |
| Spinach grows well in SOS Children's Village Nairobi |
Although SOS Children's Village Nairobi has always had a small area where vegetables are grown, this project took on a new lease of life in March 2007, when the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock held its agriculture field day in the village. Throughout the day, different organisations had the opportunity to display their products and as a result, a seed company donated some of its seeds to the village. This had the effect of teaching the young people from the village about different seed varieties, about soil content and seed suitability and helped to significantly improve the farm produce. Since the project is meant to generate some income, the produce is sold to family houses and members of staff.
Vegetable income buys a pig
 |
| A young man from the village tends to the rabbits |
From the income produced from the vegetables, the village was able to purchase a pig, known to all as "Korogocho Queen", and a kind farmer from Ruai (just outside Nairobi) donated another, known as "Ruai Queen". The pig project has been a real success and there are currently five adult pigs and 26 piglets. When a pig is slaughtered the meat is served to the whole village, while any remaining is sold to staff and, after that, to the neighbouring community.
In addition to the pig project are two more successful breeding projects: chickens and rabbits, both of which are used as meat for the village. While the poultry project started with 300 chicks, the rabbit project started with just two rabbits that had been donated, which true to their reputation, have significantly increased in numbers. Looked after by Patrick Mungai, the rabbits, chickens and pigs are not only sources of meat and income but are learning tools for the village children and young people who show an interest in farming.
Replacing trees and collecting water
 |
| Lush gardens |
Finally, in a country whose forests are being depleted at an alarming rate, SOS Children's Village Nairobi has partnered with the Kenya Forest Service and planted 700 seedlings of different varieties in the village compound near the football pitch and next to the neighbouring Nairobi River. Five varieties were planted, three of which are indigenous. The other two - cypress and eucalyptus - will be cut and used for timber and charcoal when fully grown, and more will be replanted. The indigenous trees will not be cut down and will multiply through seed dispersal, acting as a water catchment area, and preventing erosion and the build-up of silt in the Nairobi River. Meanwhile the village children will enjoy the shade that the trees provide, especially when they have picnics.
In a world where climate change, urbanisation and population explosions are having serious detrimental effects, SOS Children's Village Nairobi is doing its bit to halt this decline. At the same time, the eco-system that uses 'grey' water from the village to grow vegetables, feed animals, create pond life and keep the village green is also benefiting the children, mothers and co-workers and surrounding community, allowing them, in an overcrowded environment, to experience a better quality of life.