A Year Later: Esilaba Spring

A year ago, generous donors helped build a spring protection and sanitation platforms with the community near Esilaba Spring in Western Kenya. Because of these gifts and contributions from our monthly donors, partners are able to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one from our partner, Erick Wagaka, with you.

There is a great improvement in the standards of hygiene in this community. The community members seem to have greatly followed and put into action what was discussed in the training. There is communal effort to improve health of the villagers and to achieve great strides in development. Most people who took heed of the economic empowerment by venturing in tree nursery business as others put their time small scale businesses. Most women are now vegetable vendors and are doing pretty well.

Community member Margret Makoha says the protection of the spring “opened a door of health to the members of this community. It came along with the health and hygiene messages that challenged us to fight back at poor hygiene. At least almost all compounds of these community people are tidy and with compost pits, clotheslines and dish racks in each home. The community members also co-ordinate so well such that there are days where they come together to clean the water point as had been discussed during the training. The community members are also treating water that they use as well as ensuring that their water containers are well covered. This has helped reduced the rate of diarrhea cases.”

13-year-old Philemon Angatia also notes changes now that the spring is protected from contamination. “Most children no longer complain of stomachaches after drinking the spring water. The spring is also safe and easily accessible by children who are constantly sent by their mums to collect water for them. Besides, every time children take to play, they are no longer worried of thirst because the spring has abundant water that never dries. Children in households with sanitation platforms are so happy because cleaning of these facilities is made easier after every use.”

Apart from the water congestion experienced during the dry spell when the neighbors come around to get water from the spring, the village is doing well in issues concerning WASH programs. The few homes that did not have latrines of their own were advised to make an effort to build some so that they stop inconveniencing their neighbors. All in all, the spring protection has made a positive impact on this community and we will continue to work with them in the future.

The Water Project and our partners are committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by monthly donors, allows us to visit communities up to 4 times a year. Read more about our program and how you can help.