Giving Update: Wasenje Community, Margaret Jumba Spring

Fast. That's how everyone we talked to at Margaret Jumba Spring in Wasenje described the one-year-old protected spring, whether it was the rate of the water flowing or the time it takes to fetch it.

For the adults, they have had an easier time fetching water over the last year as they no longer take a lot of time cleaning the water, waiting for sediment to settle before collecting it. Children spend very little time at the spring because of the ease of water collection. With a strong and consistent yield, Margaret Jumba Spring sees a 20-liter jerrycan filled in 51 seconds.

Having solved their clean water problem, this community is still grateful for the protected spring and have put into practice everything they were taught, from site management to personal hygiene and water sanitation. Wasenje has a very able leader in Miss Janet Kiara, a local farmer, who said she is the person responsible for the spring's cleanliness. She has done a really good job as the area was in a good state upon our visit.

"We get clean water fast. Initially, there were all sorts of dirt and children also played in the water. We are now less worried about spending too much time trying to clean and disinfect the water," Kiara said.

Faith fills up next to Margaret Jumba Muyale, the spring landowner

14-year-old Faith Lumanye Jumba knows the importance of a quick-flowing spring too, with a different perspective as to why it matters.

"I have been scolded less as I am able to collect the water fast. Before, our parents would send us to this spring and we would take a lot of time to get clean water [so] our parents thought we were playing with the water and it resulted [in] being scolded," she said.

"Right now the water is in plenty and we don't take a lot of time here."

Margaret Jumba Muyale looks on at the spring of her name