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!

It is so easy for RainCatcher to go into new areas and villages to provide quick and low cost access to clean drinking water. With your continued financial support, we are helping 1 person 1 dollar at a time. Thank you.

Clean water demonstration & distribution.

Lake Victoria – Uganda – north shore

we drove as far as we could go, then began walking

to the lake where everyone from the village gets their water

This was during a time when locals were being killed and jailed by military & police – for participating in the ‘Walk-to-Work’ civil disobedience protests. This was our version.

This water is toxic – see woman in background getting water for her family. We showed up to bring a solution.

Christine, our Ollie girl, immediately stepped up to be a leader - being the most educated one – to be the local who brings change.

She is the niece of Dennis – Our RainCatcher Uganda facilitator.

She is 17 – a junior – at 13, to avoid the fate of being married off, her uncle began paying her school fees. She just has 5 more semesters @ $200 each. This will be the Ollie challenge I propose: to get 5 people to each take one semester – more details later.

Another Ollie challenge: This well is located about halfway between village and lake. I’m getting a quote for the cost of refurbishing it. Ollie kids can initiate a campaign to make this happen. This improvement, along with our filter systems, will truly be a game changer for this village

After making Lake Victoria safe to drink, the people challenged us to clean this pond water right in their village

No problem: before

after

Christine with new found friend

After this day – Christine returned, with filters and knowledge, over a long distance, to her home village via bus – This Ollie girl is now the sole RainCatcher teacher of our clean-water systems for many schools in an entire region. I will be visiting her village upon my return in mid-June to hand deliver her school tuition (to Dennis) and document what she has accomplished in her village.

Jack Rose

In this video, HUB (Humanity Unites Brilliance) founder Charlie Stuart Gay and Feed the Children founder Larry Jones discuss HUB’s RainCatcher installations in Africa with Fred Mango of RainCatcher Kenya.

The simplest way to catch, store and deliver clean drinking water is through with a RainCatchrer. Along with impact partner, Raincatcher.org, HUB has installed raincatchers in schools in Africa and also supports efforts to dig water wells.

Unregulated irrigation along the shores of Lake Victoria in Africa has drastically lowered the availability of clean water. Women and children become critically ill through lack of water or usage of dirty water.

With the support of impact partners like Raincatcher.org, HUB has installed many RainCatcher water tanks at rural school sites, with guttering on the roofs and water filters.  http://www.monolithic.com/stories/a-practical-life-sustaining-water-filter

Now children and their families can have clean water for drinking, washing and gardening.

In Africa my work is to catch rain, elsewhere it is to light fires, to inspire people to help secure reliable sources of clean drinking water for everyone in need, especially children, who are most at risk to waterborne diseases. If you are moved to give a valentine to Kenya, there are three components needed for the successful completion of this project: Water Storage tanks $500-each; Katadyn water filters-$250 each and rain gutters-$250 per structure. We will set up as many RainCatchers as we receive funding for. To participate email jack@raincatcher.org and I’ll give directions for electronic funds transfer to Kentainers in Nairobi.

Remembering my last trip to Africa
I have never met a happier or more alive people. The ones who appear to have little have something we often lack — a sparkle, a smile, an openness, an ease, a faith, a way, all connected to some deeper well. To be there, to live there, in friendship, is like coming home. I went to Africa thinking I had something they needed. I returned with the knowledge that it is us who need Africa. My new pastime, therefore, is simply to encourage everyone I know and love, and the new friends I meet, to somehow get to Africa. It’s impossible to visit Africa and not be changed for the better. I will do what I can to help people have a safe and fulfilling journey to Africa, Africa will do the rest. Consider this the first installment of your invitation to Africa.

Average annual rainfall

March/April/May: Kenya/Tanzania/Uganda – long rain = 19 inches

Nov/Dec/Jan : Kenya/Tanzania/Uganda – short rain = 8 inches

Nov through March: Johannesburg/South Africa – rainy season = 17 inches

The East African equatorial highlands include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, the three countries that surround Lake Victoria, headwaters of the Nile. This region enjoys two rainy seasons: the long rain is March/April/May; the short rain occurs in Nov/Dec/Jan.

Johannesburg’s rainy season is summer, from Nov to March.

Average rainfall:

Kenya: long rain – March-140mm…April-191mm…May-155mm
short rain – November-86mm…December-102mm

Johannesburg: summer – Nov-117mm…Dec-105mm…Jan-125mm…Feb-125mm…Mar-91mm