An even more memorable story about the importance of community involvement in determining where a well will be drilled comes from Kenya. Lifewater Canada’s Harry Oussoren was there to help villagers who had to walk very far for safe drinking water.
With a very generous donor funding his work, Harry rented a big rig and tried drilling where the community wanted him to — at the top of a big hill close to their houses. Despite long hours of drilling to great depth, the borehole was dry. The rig was moved over with the same result. And the third attempt was also unsuccessful.
Finally Harry reached the end of his patience and explained to the people that the next attempt had to be at the bottom of the hill because the big trees there signaled the presence of water. The community leaders said the well could not go there.
So Harry tried to explain some hydrogeology. He talked about aquifers and that at the bottom of the hill, they would not have to drill as deep to find the water table. Again, the community leaders said the well could not go there.
Harry tried one more time — finally raising the issue of his depleted budget and how the most likely place to find water would still be at the bottom of the hill. Again the leaders said the well could not go there.
Finally Harry lost his temper and demanded: “Why can’t the well go there?”The chiefs said “Because the lions who live there will eat you.” They found a better location for the well!
