Kisumu City is a quiet port town on the shores of Lake Victoria. In early times known as Port Florence and as the final train station of Kenyans railway from Mombasa through Nairobi to the western border line with Uganda. For people who are interested to visit Kenya not just as standard tourists for sure a place to go. A huge open market, a very pure African life in the city, the Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, a walking sanctuary and holding area for animals which require special protection in this densely populated area are the highlight of course is the lake and size, especially when the sun sets. So, if you plan to learn more about Kenya, the town of Kisumu is definitely worth a stay.

But there is also a huge need for safe water and water purification. Inside and outside the lake.

Visit at SWAP

The Safe Water and AIDS Project (SWAP) is a non-governmental organization based in Western Kenya that engages Community Health Promoters to promote health and door to door sales of health and hygiene products. Safe Water and AIDS Project (SWAP) aims to improve the health and socio-economic status of Kenyan people through disease prevention and socio-economic empowerment of the target population.

Alie Eleveld explained us a lot about water issues and the water testing: “We work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and in  partnership with Centers for Diseases control and Prevention (CDC), WHO, World Bank, USAID/DIV, International Universities, Procter & Gamble and Population Services Kenya. The implementation of various projects and research activities include health promotion and sales of water treatment as well as various health and hygiene products.”

We visit also the research department evaluating the health and economic impact of various interventions, health products and technologies and is now outsourcing its research services. A water lab is established for water testing and quality control.

“We still need some research equipment and support”, Alie explains. “There is so much to do“…

Alie has been awarded several times for her passionate, impactful and long engagement.