My Walk of Hope & Change: Transforming Women’s Water Burdens into Economic Opportunities in East Africa

Rose Wamalwa, founder and program director of Women in Water and Natural Resource Conservation (WE-CAN), Kakamega, Kenya, will be speaking at First Unitarian Universalist Church Fellowship Hall. A light lunch will be served.

This program is hosted by the Green Sanctuary Team of First Unitarian Universalist Church, San Antonio Interfaith Power and Light and is a stop on the Pilgrimage of Compassion.

Rose is in San Antonio, working with the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, on a four-month fellowship as part of the Community Solutions Program of the U.S. Department of State. 

Born and raised in rural Kenya, Rose recalls walking 5 km. with a jerri can balanced on her head to bring home water. Growing up she experienced the abuse, harassment and discrimination of women in her community. WE-CAN was created in response to the need to strengthen and build home grown capacity, empowering African women to seek solutions for African communities. 

Rose’s goal is to pursue an integrated socio-economic and cultural development approach in the fight against poverty and social exclusion through grass-root organizing of communities and families. In collaboration the Global Women Water Initiative, WE-CAN has trained  3000 women In Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania on WASH and its related technologies, and has constructed 50 rain water harvesting tanks and 20 ventilated pit latrines.

1st UU is at  Gill Rd.  & Beryl Dr. (at the intersection of IH-10 West & Loop 410 East.)  Also note that this is the first day of daylight savings time and remember to set your clock back!