Meet Bertha Juma, Technical Officer in Kenya

Bertha specialises in Water and Environmental Engineering and holds a Master of Arts degree in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi. She has experience managing WASH construction projects across Kenya and joined Dig Deep in January 2016 as the WASH Technical Officer to lead in the construction management and procurement of resources. 

We asked Bertha to tell us about her work and how it impacts the lives of women and girls

I joined DD as the Technical Officer to make a contribution towards providing sustainable solutions to community through promoting appropriate technologies in Water and Sanitation. 

I work to enhance the lives of men, Women and Children by ensuring they have access to clean water and safe environment in our community. This is through overseeing WASH infrastructure from designing the structure, supervising the construction and training on Operation and Maintenance for sustainability. In addressing gender issues within the program we ensure equal representation of women at the community level; thus, ensuring that women are selected to hold key positions in the water committee for them to have a voice in the water projects. 

I also ensure, facilities that are girl’s friendly by ensuring girls latrine have a privacy wall with shower that gives them privacy and dignity during their menstruation. In addition, it thrilling to oversee the construction of low cost incinerators that address the issue of safe disposal for sanitary towels and gives the latrines a longer lifespan. It’s exciting to be part of the evolution in the women’s lives to make their lives better. 

My highlights in my work with Dig Deep is to see how the organisation recognizes the role of women in WASH sector and giving them equal opportunities in accessing contracts for the construction of School WASH facilities, women accessing safe water and girls dignity enhanced in schools.