December, 2022: Clean Water Available in Kanyoeni!

You were a major part of establishing a sand dam/shallow well in the community of Kanyoeni. When we install sand dams, we build up sand to raise the water table and naturally filter water. However, it often takes a rainy season or two for the projects to reach their full potential.

We are thrilled to report the sand dam and shallow well are now filled with water and fully functional, providing clean water to the community. Thank you for making clean water a reality for this region. By having consistent access to reliable water, the people of this community’s health, energy, finances, and free time are sure to improve!

July, 2022: Kanyoeni Community Hand-Dug Well Complete!

Kanyoeni Community, Kenya now has a new water source thanks to your donation! We constructed a new hand-dug well adjacent to a new sand dam on the riverbed. The sand dam will build up sand to raise the water table and naturally filter water, while the well will provide a safer method of drawing drinking water for the community.

It could take up to three years of rain for this sand dam to reach maximum capacity because sometimes it only rains once a year in this region! As the sand dam matures and stores more sand, the surrounding landscape will become lush and fertile, and the well will fill with water.

''When the sand dam shall have water, it will have a great impact on my village as everyone will have access to clean water," said 17-year-old Jemmimah M.

"The schools around this place are well-positioned to benefit as no more adverse water scarcity will be experienced anymore. Having water, I will keep myself clean, hence improving [my] level of hygiene and sanitation."

Jemmimah stands in front of the finished sand dam.

''I have wished to own a kitchen garden," Jemmimah continued.

"Now things are looking up. I am very optimistic that once the sand dam harvests water, I will be able to start one for myself and my family too. We will waste no more money on buying vegetables for the family. I will also be able to excel in [my] academic performance because I will be spending little time and energy to get water from this water point."

"I hope that the sand dam will change my life so much," said 52-year-old farmer, John Mutua Mutambu. "I will enjoy clean water which is very safe. Also, I will improve my income through the planting of vegetables and then selling them. Time will be properly managed, especially not having to trek for [a] long [time] to get water."

John at the hygiene training.

''I hope to plant crops and harvest good produce from my farm," John continued. "I will sell the surplus to get school fees for my kids."

"In terms of health, I hope to get better and also avoid some sicknesses related to water contamination. I will not get sick frequently. My children will also be no longer exposed to water-related infections; thus I will not be spending time or money in getting them medical assistance."

Hand-Dug Well Construction Process

Construction for this well was a success!

We delivered the experts, materials, and tools, but the community helped get an extraordinary amount of work done, too. They collected local materials to supplement the project, including sand, stones, and water. When all the materials were ready, it was time to dig in!

First, we excavated a hole seven feet in diameter up to the recommended depth of 25 feet. (Most hand-dug wells do not reach that depth due to hard rocks between 10-18 feet.) As planned, the diameter shrank to 5 feet when the well lining was complete. This lining is made of brick and mortar with perforations to allow for water to seep through. When the well is finished, sand builds up around its walls, which will filter the rainwater stored behind the dam.

Once the lining reached ground level, we laid a precast concrete slab on top of the lining and joined it to the wall using mortar. The concrete dried for two weeks before installation. We fixed four bolts onto the slab during casting in preparation for the hand pump's installation.

Next, the mechanics arrived to install the pump as community members watched, learning how to manage simple maintenance tasks for themselves. We installed the pump level with the top of the sand dam. As the dam matures, sand will build up to the top of the wall. Until then, people will use the concrete steps to get their water. After installing the pump, we gave the well another few days to let the joints dry entirely.

We worked with the Kyeni Kya Kanyoeni Self-Help Group for this project. The members and their families contributed tremendous amounts of materials and physical labor.

New Knowledge

Our trainer conferred with the field staff about their previous household visits and interviews with community members to determine which topics the community could improve upon.

We trained the group on various skills, including bookkeeping, financial management, project management, group dynamics, and governance. We also conducted hygiene and sanitation training to teach skills like soapmaking and detergent-making and improve behaviors such as handwashing.

The group uses a newly constructed tippy-tap for a handwashing lesson.

"We have learned a lot of practices that we knew but never practiced and others that are new to us," said John Mutua Mutambu, who is the newly elected chairperson of Kanyoeni's water user committee.

"This training has also helped us understand the different causes of diseases and how they can be prevented. It will also help us improve on our routines as far as hygiene is concerned. For instance, a good number [of us have] been eating fruits without washing them, not cleaning hands after visiting latrines, among other poor practices."

We also touched on health problems in the community, good and bad hygiene behaviors, the spread and prevention of disease, and sanitation improvements.

The most memorable topic was disease transmission, which struck particularly true with one community member, who said he might have lived to 140 had his family not practiced open defecation when he was growing up.

Community members learn how to make soap.

"This training will really help us reduce disease incidences, thus living healthy lives," John said.

"We will also improve on latrine hygiene by cleaning them using the detergent that we have been taught how to make. The skill gained from both the detergent and soap making will help us increase our household income, thus enabling us [to] meet our personal and basic needs."

Conclusion

This project required a substantial collaboration between our staff, our in-country teams, and the community members themselves. When an issue arises concerning the well, the group members are equipped with the necessary skills to rectify the problem and ensure it works appropriately. However, if the issue is beyond their capabilities, they can contact their local field officers to assist them.

Also, we will continue to offer them unmatchable support as a part of our monitoring and maintenance program. We walk with each community, problem-solving together when they face challenges with functionality, seasonality, or water quality. Together, all these components help us strive for enduring access to reliable, clean, and safe water for this community.

With your contribution, one more piece has been added to a large puzzle of water projects. In our target areas, we’re working toward complete coverage of reliable, maintained water sources within a 30-minute round trip for each community, household, school, and health center. With this in mind, search through our upcoming projects to see which community you can help next!

Thank you for making all of this possible!

May, 2022: Kanyoeni Community 1B Hand-Dug Well Underway!

A severe clean water shortage in Kanyoeni Community drains people’s time, energy, and health. Thanks to your generosity, we’re working to install a clean water point and much more.

Get to know this community through the introduction and pictures we’ve posted, and read about this water, sanitation, and hygiene project. We look forward to reaching out with more good news!