Giving Update: Lwenya Community, Warosi Spring

The lives of community members in Lwenya have greatly improved since the protection of Warosi Spring last year.

Accessing clean and safe drinking water from Warosi spring has helped to reduce incidences of waterborne diseases that were once so rampant here. The situation was worse before the spring protection since there was both human and animal waste just near the water point. During the dry season when many other water points dried up, this added to the water users at Warosi Spring who unintentionally were contaminating the surrounding water and muddying the water for others.

Today much has changed. There is a lot of ease while drawing water, saving both time and energy. Health standards have improved across the village and within households, and children can attend school in good health. This has seen the young learners in the area improving their academic performance since they are now present and healthy at school more often.

The community was quick to notice the fortune brought to them by protecting Warosi Spring. Through the words shared with us in interviews and conversations, and from the expressions on their faces, we saw and heard much appreciation for the spring protection. Community members truly enjoy the fruits of using clean water, and they are always ready and willing to make improvements wherever they can.

Timothy Alulu (left) with Mr. Josh Luvembe

"Initially you could find human waste [from] children who used to accompany their mothers, who could wash from the water point," said Josh Luvembe, who depends on Warosi Spring for water.

"That no longer happens, hence cases of absenteeism in schools due to diarrhea from waterborne disease[s] have been minimized since the spring was protected. Due to this, academic performance has also improved. The farm owner where the spring is located used to graze his animals near the water point, [but then] he was advised on the importance of hygiene near the spring, [and] since the spring was protected he doesn't send the animals there."

Field Officer Laura Alulu with Mr. Luvembe

14-year-old Timothy Alulu also shared with us what this water point has meant to him over the last year.

"This spring has helped us improve on cleanliness; before yes, we could get water, but it was dirty," he said.

"[I] am no longer bothered by the dirt since we continually get clean water from the spring. Bathing and drinking clean water now gives me confidence while going to school. We don't struggle anymore while fetching water from the spring since water flows and you can get as much as you want."

Mr. Luvembe (center) with family and neighbors at the spring