A Year Later: Mwibichiri Spring Community

A year ago, generous donors helped build a spring protection and sanitation platforms for the community surrounding Mwibichiri Spring in Kenya. Because of these gifts and 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, Joan Were, with you.

The community around Mwibichiri Spring has experienced exciting changes through the protected spring project and hygiene and sanitation training.  Joan joyfully shares her impressions of the changes that she has witnessed in the community: “Most homesteads have installed dish racks and many of them come to the spring with containers that have lids. This change has happened because the community embraced the WaSH training positively.”  A teacher in the community, Christopher Ogai, does indicate that the spring access has reduced cases of waterborne sickness, but that there are still times in the dry season when the water production from the spring is low and the demand is very high.  This community represents both the incredible benefit of clean water sources and the continuing need for engagement in areas experiencing water scarcity.

Samuel Ogai, age 13, shares some of the benefits of having the protected spring nearby, stating, “This spring is very nice compared to the river that we used to go to. The water is clean and we spend less time fetching water because we would go to the river and get allured by other kids to swim before taking water home.” We hope that Samuel is still taking some time to swim with friends.

WEWASAFO will continue supporting the Mwibichiri community to ensure that clean water is consistently available.  The Mwibichiri community has integrated much of the WEWASAFO training into community life, teaching how to keep the water clean until it is used or consumed, and how to build and maintain latrines. The community even started a self-help group to ensure sustainable access to the clean water through community contributions for any maintenance costs that might arise.

We know that the positive changes around Mwibichiri Spring from clean water access and healthy lifestyle changes will have ripples of impact throughout their community and in the surrounding areas.  We are excited to stay in touch with this community and to report the news as they continue on their journey with clean water.

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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.