Projects
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Mitaboni, Kenya | Project Kwale

Overview

The Project Kwale Team at Engineers Without Borders New York (EWB-NY) Professional Chapter is designing and constructing a rainwater harvesting system for the Kwale Primary School in Mitaboni, Kenya (GPS Coordinates: -1.3573, 37.2660). This project’s objective is to provide about 600 students each with up to 1.5 L of potable water per day, eliminating their reliance on unsanitary and distant water sources. The harvesting system will have a total storage capacity of more than 60,000 L, and feature gutters, HDPE and PPR pipes, inlet filters, water level sensors, and taps all sourced from local Kenyan suppliers.

An image of a newly constructed classroom block at the Kwale Primary School. The building has pink walls and green windows.
A classroom at the Kwale Primary School
An image of the Kwale Primary School's courtyard. Classroom buildings are painted pink and gree, and are adjacent to an open field.
The Kwale Primary School’s courtyard
An image of an empty alley adjacent to a classroom building, where the harvesting system's tanks will be placed.
The construction site
for the harvesting system’s water tanks.

About the Mitaboni Community

The town of Mitaboni is approximately 50 km east of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the wider Kathiani Division, and has an estimated population size of 35,000 as of 2024. Mitaboni is primarily inhabited by the Akamba people, a Bantu ethnic group. The main languages spoken in Mitaboni are Kikamba, Swahili, and English. Agriculture is a key economic driver of the town; crops and fruits like maize, beans, mangoes, and oranges thrive in the region’s frequent rainfall and fertile soil. Mitaboni is also home to many prestigious academic institutions, including Eastern Kenya Integrated College, Mitaboni Vocational Training Centre, and Mitaboni ABC Girls Secondary School.

Project Status

The Kwale Team is currently working through the pre-construction Assessment Phase of the project. This will involve a week-long visit to Mitaboni construction site in August, 2026. That week will be used for measurement-taking and structural analysis at the construction site, liaising with local suppliers, and engaging with the Mitaboni community and its stakeholders. We are currently exploring fundraising sources to cover our team’s travel to and lodging in Kenya.

Fundraising Needs

Our successful and timely completion of the Assessment Phase in 2026 is crucial for constructing a durable and efficient rainwater harvesting system at the primary school. We are seeking financial support to help with the purchase of construction materials and labor. You can donate directly to our project at this link: https://support.ewb-usa.org/team/640266

You can also donate through Venmo @ewbny: https://www.venmo.com/u/ewbny

A Venmo QR code for donations to Engineers Without Borders New York Professional Chapter.

Current Fundraisers

Win big with our 2026 Superbowl LX Squares Fundraiser! A square is $35 so secure yours before game day on February 8!

A flyer for Project Kwale's 2026 Superbowl LX fundraising initiative.

Meet the Kwale Team

A professional headshot of the Kwale Project Lead, Carolyn Hoerth.
Carolyn Hoerth
Project Lead
A professional headshot of Project Kwale's Responsible Engineer in Charge, Alan Green.
Alan Green
Responsible Engineer
in Charge
A professional headshot of EWB-NY President Uma Lakshman.
Uma Lakshman
President, EWB-NY
A professional headshot of Project Kwale volunteer Amisha Kunvar.
Amisha Kunvar
Volunteer
A professional headshot of Project Kwale volunteer Angele Kwimi.
Angele Kwimi
Volunteer
A professional headshot of Project Kwale volunteer Ange Ndayishimiye.
Ange Ndayishimiye
Volunteer
A professional headshot of Project Kwale volunteer Elysse Karozichian.
Elysse Karozichian
Volunteer
A professional headshot of Project Kwale volunteer Kaitlin McConnon.
Kaitlin McConnon
Volunteer
A professional headshot of Project Kwale volunteer Nakya Stewart.
Nakya Stewart
Volunteer
A professional headshot of Project Kwale volunteer Josh Andah.
Josh Andah
Volunteer

How to Get Involved

The Project Kwale Team meets remotely every Tuesday at 6:00 PM EST. We’re looking for volunteers to help with our fundraising initiatives and construction design. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds! You do not have to be an engineer or located in New York to make a difference. Email us to find out how you can get started: newyorkprofessional@chapters-ewb-usa.org