January, 2023: Makiioni Community Hand-Dug Well Complete!

Makiioni 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.

"I will easily draw water from this water point because it is well protected," said seven-year-old Dorcas M. "I often accompanied my mother to the previous water sources, which was exhausting. This will no longer be the case because this water point is close to my home. I will also have enough clean water to drink."

"Walking to [the] Tyaa River to fetch water was exhausting and time-consuming, and my mother could not prepare meals on time," Dorcas continued. "We could also skip meals because of the insufficient water, but now we will have enough water to cook and drink. I will also get more time to play with my friends after school."

"I will no longer have to walk to the distant Tyaa River's scoop holes or previous shallow wells searching for water because this water point is very close to my home," said 50-year-old farmer Fatuma Mzili. "I will have enough time and energy to concentrate on farming because this water point will offer sufficient water for irrigation. My family and I will be healthy because we will no longer be exposed to diseases like typhoid or amoeba that are associated [with] the consumption of water from the scoop holes."

"My cows and goats will have a nearby source of drinking water," Fatuma continued. "This will improve their milk and meat yield because they are not exhausted. I will also grow pasture [plants] on my land because I can easily irrigate it. I will also be able to cultivate various crops like bananas, kale, spinach, [and] onions, as well as cabbages, which will supplement our daily diet."

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 Wendo Makiioni Women's 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 soap- and detergent-making and improve behaviors such as handwashing.

Everyone's favorite topic to learn was soap-making.

"The members were very happy to learn the process of soap making and promised to generate income from the project," said our hygiene officer, Christine. "During the stirring of the soap, the members sang choruses to motivate those who were stirring, and this increased their patience during the soap-making process."

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

Kavata at the training.

"The training was very good," said farmer Kavata Mutemi. "I have learned a lot about hygiene and sanitation. I have also learned how to prevent diarrheal diseases. The soap-making training has enabled this group to have an income-generating activity. The training has also united the group more, and we are thankful."

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!

December, 2022: Makioni Community Hand-Dug Well Underway!

A severe clean water shortage in Makioni 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!