The Headteacher of Kitemi P.S. receives a water purifier from the KYEMPAPU Director. These purifiers were a donation from RainCatcher USA through Martha MC Bride the Coordinator – AFRICA.

RainCatcher hopes to complete 10 more KYEMPAPU schools with Sylvia Bofry ( in the green) in the Masaka District.

Our plans for rainwater-harvesting installations this year begin with this first group of schools in the Mityana area of Uganda, about two hours by car from Kampala, the capital city.

The process involves having concrete foundations poured, face boards installed on the school, gutters attached to the face boards and then the addition of an 8,000-liter tank to capture and store the run-off from the roof.

In the villages surrounding the schools, churches, hospitals and orphanages RainCatcher equips with this simple system, the events surrounding the construction are quite a draw.

Everyone in the community knows that the laying of the foundation is just the first step in having clean water that’s easy to access and safe to drink. This is huge in the lives of the staff members, children and their parents.

And it’s huge for us! When photos likes this arrive from the field we celebrate along with them!

Earlier this year, they approached RainCatcher and asked what they could do to give back. They had been looking to donate their time to a cause they believed in and became very interested in the clean water cause. They decided they wanted to raise money to equip a school with a rainwater harvesting system plus one hundred clean water filters and go visit the school when it is completed to meet the kids and families they directly helped.

You can learn more about Lisa and Anthony on their ambassador page. Thank you Anthony and Lisa, we are truly grateful!

We wired $3,000 USD to fund those first steps towards equipping those schools and providing an estimated 10,000 people with access to collected rainwater. For many of those families, this will be the first reliable source of clean water they’ve had in their entire lives.

For the students at these schools, your efforts are helping transform their normal school day into a one that has more impact and one that is a virtual oasis for them. Ready access to clean water is not common for these kids and their neighbors.

It’s a poor school, private, with no government support. With almost 1,000 students, almost no budget, and buildings that have seen better days, it’s amazing that these determined adults are holding things together.

The rainwater-harvesting tank is a prized addition to the campus. Its mere presence significantly reduces the amount of time the students need to spend collecting water each day. This frees up time for their studies, just as it frees up some of the school’s limited budget by cutting down on the charcoal they need to make surface water the kids gather safe by boiling it.

Having the tank also seems to be fueling enthusiasm for some restoration projects. The community is so grateful for the water, that they’re rallying around the school to improve other areas.

Even as they pray for rain to fill the tank the Sumner M. Redstone Foundation provided, they try to mitigate the impact that same coveted rain sometimes has on their structures. They’ve dug some trenches to redirect some of the rainwater that flows down the hill and damages the foundations of the newer buildings.

To make repairs and get a little money to support the school population, they recently cut down a very large tree on the property to use for lumber and to sell for cash for other supplies they needed for repairs. On our last visit, that tree had been the site of an amazing ceremony of gratitude. Since that visit last summer, the parents and staff have also teamed up to fix some big holes in the walls of some classrooms.

All of this highlights the significant impact one tank can make on a community. More time spent in school. Less money spent on fuel. A reduction in illness. For a group of people trying so hard to get their kids educated and keep this school afloat, the gift of the tank is one that helps them make more strides every day.

When you’re there, you can SEE the difference it makes. When you’re there, you know that RainCatcher is on the right track. When you’re there, you want to show every RainCatcher donor exactly how their money is changing lives.

These parents, the kids and the teachers are a shining example that together we can do more!

The news was so simple and terrific, we wanted to share the message directly with you as-is.

Hello Martha,

Thank you,
Mugega Sulaiman

Bryan’s project encompasses a church with a large population, a dispensary and clinic, a primary school and a secondary school. He is a teacher at one of the schools and has demonstrated his devotion to the village and the surrounding areas by acting as a key connection as we settle on schools, churches, hospitals and orphanages to deliver clean water to over the next year.

Dennis had visited Bryan’s project in the fall, conducted a demonstration of the portable clean-water systems and confirmed that the climate and the population made it the perfect match for RainCatcher’s bigger systems. He will manage the project of getting of the systems installed properly and as soon as possible, because this community’s borehole isn’t meeting the capacity needs and is in danger of breaking down at any moment.

We toured the grounds, assessed the suitability of campus buildings for a tank-and-gutter rainwater harvesting system, and were thrilled to see the smaller systems clearly in use and benefiting the kids.

The campuses were decorated with signs that delivered advice to the students. We couldn’t resist getting a picture of Dennis next one in particular.

-Martha McBride on the ground in Uganda

We toured the grounds and inspected the tank that had been installed and was now collecting safe drinking water direct from the sky.

Then, it was time for us to sit, as guests of honor, to enjoy what we had been told was a “special program.” We had no idea what an amazing gift we were going to be given.

The school’s chorus began to sway and sing as student drummers accompanied them. The words, written for RainCatcher, and the joyous sound of this chorus of talented and beautiful singers washed over us.

Combined with the other moments we experienced on that trip to Mityana – teachers telling us about significant drops in absenteeism now that safe water was available at school, pupils thanking us specifically for “bringing me water that doesn’t make me sick,” and a family that walked some distance just for the opportunity to hand us a gift in gratitude for the difference clean water made in their lives in mere weeks – this event at St. Matia Malumba School capped an incredible day.

The whole thing felt touched by the divine. The energy soared with their clear, earnest voices. You could feel the love of it all in your heart and in your soul. The students were all smiles and so were we. We hummed that song the whole ride back to our Uganda home and over the following days we would sometimes play the video just so we could hear the song again.

To have the amazing audio from that “special program” shared with every person who watches Dennis Haysbert’s new Clean Water Ambassador PSA brings it all back.

When you listen, please remember: those kids are singing in gratitude for WATER they can drink. They’re singing for RainCatcher. But, if you’re someone who helps by donating, spreading the word, or by helping raise money, they’re really singing for you.

With the world’s population more than doubling over the last half century, basics like food and water are under more strain than ever, say experts, and providing for an additional 2-3 billion people in the next 50 years is a serious worry. Right now:

• Some 1.8 million child deaths each year as a result of diarrhea
• The loss of 443 million school days each year from water-related illness.
• Close to half of all people in developing countries suffering at any given time from a health problem caused by water and sanitation deficits.
• Millions of women spending several hours a day collecting water.

As it stands, globally nearly 1 in 5 people do not have access to safe drinking water. By 2025, 2.8 billion people in 48 countries will be facing water shortages. And water demand is supposed to increase by 85% over the next half century. In the U.S., 36 states are predicting water scarcity over the next ten years.

Perhaps the U.N. feels it’s time for us to take a good look at our situation and start addressing the challenges that lay ahead.

One of his stops was the RainCatcher office to review all that the Team Beachbody partnership had accomplished in 2011 and to make plans for the upcoming year. On his list were even more schools we plan to equip with permanent rainwater-harvesting systems in 2012 and some inspired ideas for outreach into the war-ravaged northern parts of Uganda.

We shared with him the new PSA, which features an original song from one of the schools in his parish. That led to us reminiscing about the RainCatcher team’s visits to that school and others in March and July of this year, including the day it rained for the first time in months, seemingly in quick response to a quiet prayer with Father Kizito.

His commitment is humbling and by the end of the meeting the whole group was beaming and fired up about next steps. Father Kizito continues to be a key leader in the mission to bring a better life to the children of Uganda, through reliable access to clean water today and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

This was an original song written in honor of RainCatcher by their music teacher, chorale leader Nsubuga David.

The school already reports a notable reduction in illness and absenteeism and the headmistress – who lives on the school property – and other teachers say it makes a huge difference to have water readily available to give the pupils.

Lyrics of the chorus:

Our dear visitors you are welcome.
to St. Matia Mulmba
We appreciate the good services
given us from Kiyinda-Mityana.
(Our dear visitors)
We thank you for having thought of Kiyinda-Mityana
and having our school selected
for USA RainCatcher support

Whether sourcing materials, identifying suitable projects, or navigating red tape, Fred’s devotion and skill makes the difference in whether a rainwater-harvesting system gets installed now, later or never. His commitment to getting a system in place sooner leads to more lives saved.

This year, Fred was absolutely instrumental in getting 11 community locations – a church and 10 schools – equipped with the permanent tank-and-gutter solution donated by Beachbody. Even the local leaders who’d specifically requested Fred and RainCatcher’s help expressed amazement about how efficient and comprehensive the project turned out to be.

What’s so inspiring about Fred is that he’s one of those fabled “local boy done good.” He grew up in the Nyahera area of southwestern Kenya, not far from Kisumu and Lake Victoria. He has moved on to Nairobi, where he  lives with his young family, is the star employee of an established company and is an entrepreneur.

That would be enough for most people, but not for Fred. You see, he is compelled to give back to the struggling community he came from. He travels back to Kisumu frequently to bring opportunity and secure resources for the people of his own village and surrounding villages.

Everywhere you go with Fred there are people greeting him warmly, thanking him, and giving him gifts to demonstrate their gratitude. He is continually referred to as “such a good boy,” by the  aunties, neighbors, and former teachers you run into while in the field.

In addition to partnering with RainCatcher, Fred has formed a youth leadership group to encourage other educated young people in Nyahera and beyond to help the youth of the area. The are initiating grassroots change by being visible examples of what can be achieved by staying in school and by providing practical hands-on training in computers, business, sports and health.

By extension, RainCatcher now has a growing legion of knowledgeable supporters in the area – teachers, business owners, mothers and more. They’re like an army of optimistic agents-for-change in blue RainCatcher shirts.

In a way, through his tireless commitment, Fred is a revolutionary. With his powerful vision and his big heart, Fred is bringing more than just clean water to the people he cares about; he’s bringing a brighter future and hope.

Today we celebrate the birthday of someone who’s more than just “a good boy.” Fred Mango is a great man!

Suzanne and Whitney – representing the leadership for HELP International’s Uganda programs – brought portable clean-water systems donated by RainCatcher back to Mbale and wove them seamlessly into the other amazing work their team was already doing. Check out this amazing video they did – RainCatcher is happy to be in it as well.

Through these efforts, RainCatcher and HELP International partnered to bring clean water to Kakoli village and to the slums of the Mbale area. This uplifting and gorgeous video summarizes the accomplishments of their team this year and highlights the beauty of Uganda. It’s no wonder all involved can’t wait to go back!

New team members ask, “How do we know so-and-so?” or “How did we find this group?” Father Kizito is frequently the answer.

It was Father Kizito who introduced us to Sylvia. You may remember her: she brought clean water to Kirinda schools.

He leads the Mityana Parish and a whole rectory of priests from an impressive headquarters – a massive, gorgeous red-brick church “built by Germans” in the early 1970s.  But, in reality, he’s not just there – on those beautiful grounds, conducting Mass and bringing out the best in his young clergy team; he’s everywhere.

Emails from Kizito, even just this summer, come from Spain and Los Angeles and so many places, as well as from Uganda. Email from his proteges pop into our inboxes from Finland. As a team, they’re out, making connections, and bringing great things to the children of their Ugandan parish and beyond.

Today, Kizito’s birthday is being formally and enthusiastically celebrated by admirers and supporters in California. His initial connection with RainCatcher came because he was there on a visit to these same church partners and heard of the new rainwater harvesting initiative. He went to Malibu to find the people doing it.

Based on Kizito’s determination and charisma, those people were compelled to bring the gutter-and-tank solutions to Uganda. That team developed into RainCatcher.

This summer, during visits to finish up Beachbody’s 2011 project with RainCatcher, Kizito escorted the team around to schools already benefiting from the rainwater harvesting. The team was greeted with gratitude, singing, dancing and tales of the impact the tanks had already made. As part of this project, a total of 11 Ugandan schools now have reliable, safe water caught from the sky, thanks to Father Kizito and Beachbody.

But, he’s not done yet. He has a list for a new wave of school tanks and there’s no doubt that as he tours the planet this fall that he’ll be making more connections and conceiving bigger plans for helping the people of Uganda. He is always on the move, relentless in his efforts to serve. We’re so proud to be partnered with a man with such vision. RainCatcher looks forward to doing more great work with him and saving more lives.

Happy Birthday Father Kizito! There is no end to the joy and celebration that accompanies the anniversary of your birth. Your commitment to service fuels so much good in this world and the impact cascades and flows and simply gives and gives and gives.  

The Home is dedicated to care for the abandoned, destitute and orphaned babies and children of Uganda.

It cares and gives hope with the Love of God to the hopeless abandoned, destitute and orphaned babies and children of Uganda. Up to 50 babies and toddlers aged between 1 day old and 4 years old. Many children are found abandoned in garbage heaps, pit latrines, ditches, taxi parks or are left by the side of the road. The orphans received range in age from a few hours to two years, with no known parents or relatives.

Sanyu Babies Home is dedicated to providing these children with love, security, medical care and education. There are over 2.3 million known orphans in Uganda more than any other nation in the world today. We found they were having a challenge of getting pure drinking water. As they were depending on boiling and putting chlorine which was laborious. We demonstrated and passed on to them the water filter. Find pictures attached. Thanks to Rain Catcher!

Yours truly,

Julius Ananura
Team Leader
Reach the Un-Reached Ministry
P.o box 5090

KAMPALA-UGANDA-E Africa

Mobile + 256 782 370307/+ 256 752 370307

As we’d shared in July, they were quickly converted from skeptics of what a filter could do to enthusiasts excited to share the simple solution with the people they cared so much.

Here is part of the story from Suzanne’s own experience and report. We were thrilled to hear back from her and see photos from what she, Whitney and their partners in service had done in the village of Kakoli just outside Mbale in the Budaka district of Uganda.

“The people of Kakoli are forced to use a ridiculously dirty, muddy hole as their water source and many in the community are sick due to the bad water. We were able to help them obtain clean water thanks to RainCatcher!

Thanks for everything! We look forward to future projects together!”

It’s all important and quite serious, but when you’re in the field you simply can’t deny the joy that permeates RainCatcher’s school visits.

There is no dirge playing as we approach. Though the water situation is literally life and death, the conversations are lively and there is always laughter. They’re kids!

One way we add fun is by bringing soccer balls as a gift for each location. In every case, the crowd lights up. And it’s not just the kids who get excited.

The appeal is universal; everyone wants in on the action. Nearly every school has a soccer field. There may be cows, goats or chickens running around.

The students may be kicking a makeshift ball, made of plastic bags, leftover fabric, strips of inner tube, or some combination of things.

But, make no mistake about it: these children are playing and having fun every day and that often means soccer.

Thanks to the generosity of Nike, we’re able to travel with a stash of gorgeous, brand new, bright orange soccer balls. At the end of each visit to a school or orphanage, Jack hands one of the donated balls to a teacher or tosses it into the crowd.

The gift of such a simple item, a soccer ball, makes a big difference in the day. The students may forget that the bacterium that causes cholera is 0.5 micron and the filters block anything larger than 0.1 micron. They may forget how frequently they should back-flush the system for optimal water flow. But, they will remember the day the RainCatcher’s came to school and they were able to start playing soccer with that orange ball.

The overall philosophy is a simple one: RainCatcher wants to bring life-saving water to the people in these communities AND support the natural fun that fuels the joy in those lives. The smiles on the faces of the young and old alike show that it’s a pretty good plan.

Throughout this area, people collect their drinking and cooking water daily from boreholes, streams, rivers and other contaminated sources. By installing equipment to catch rain, this project is designed to provide reliable water to the anchors of the communities – the schools.

RainCatcher returned to the Kogelo area of Western Kenya to check on the progress of the tank-and-gutter installations and to meet with leaders to demonstrate the point-of-use filtering process and distribute filters.

Some of the tanks were near empty, as it hadn’t rained much recently. For one demonstration, the students had to go collect water from a borehole down the way. That water was dirty, making it the perfect sample for a training, but the hearts of the team sank, thinking that the students weren’t fully benefiting from the work that had recently been completed.

Besides the water being clean and safe, the aim is for it to be convenient, readily available. Women and children spend a great deal of time collecting water daily and the hope is that by reducing that collection during the day, the students will have more time for class and for fun.

But, while RainCatcher’s Fred Mango took the team around to different schools to meet the students and teach them about safe water, clouds gathered, it got very dark, the skies opened up, and torrents of rain came down.

With the roads muddy, the treks on the back roads slippery, and one visit cancelled, there was only one sentiment among the team traveling in the trucks: A desire that it keep raining and fill those tanks!

And, much to the RainCatcher team’s delight, rain it did. That day, that night, and the next day.

One surprising source of inspiration and direction has been our room steward, Joseph. Though he also has a new church and ministry he runs, a wonderful wife and four young sons, Joseph spends very long days here at the hotel.

He may seem quiet and unassuming, but that demeanor masks an incredible strength and devotion to his village, his parish and his neighbors. Joseph asked about our projects the week we arrived. Since we left early each morning and returned, exhausted, at sunset it was easy for his training to be delayed.

We would schedule a time and something would come up for us or his shift would go long due to things like the frequent blackouts or generator issues. But, Joseph was not going to allow the long hours or chance to prevent him learning about the filters. At times we returned to find him waiting for us, ready to be trained, ready to bring life-saving systems to his village.

The night before we left the country, he patiently waited again. Now trained, focused on the idea of using schools as a starting point to help the most people, and with three filters in his bag, he went home and we left for Kenya. We didn’t give Joseph and his three filters another thought.

When we got back, though, he was like a magnet! We were transfixed by his energy. As he explained how he’d identified 21 schools, visited three of them and conducted training, he was glowing. He presented the list and gently, but firmly, described how we were (he was?) going to equip the remaining 18 schools. How could we refuse?

So, we gathered again, with his list, now officially referred to as the “JOSEPH – Clean-Water Project, Uganda” and provided enough filters and money to set up each school.

And he left with a bag containing enough gear to bring safe water to thousands of people.

We’ll conduct a larger training in his area soon and, because we’ll never again doubt Joseph’s conviction, we expect his vision of bringing the RainCatcher solution beyond the schools and into the surrounding villages to come to pass.

This will certainly require some addendum to the list and a new name for his project. Perhaps “JOSEPH – Today the schools. Tomorrow the World!”