May, 2024: Water Flowing in Tondora Community!

You were a major part of establishing a shallow well in the community of Tondora. 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 sand dam to reach its full potential and provide sufficient water to the shallow well.

We are thrilled to report the shallow well is 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!

December, 2023: Tondora Community Shallow Well Complete!

The Tondora 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.

66-year-old farmer Stephen Makura shared, "I am very happy about this project because it will address the frustrations I had when fetching water. I will no longer be spending most of my time fetching water and use it in conducting activities like preparing my land, interacting with other members of the community, and even finding better ways to improve my livelihood. My children will now be drinking clean water from the shallow well and not exposed to stomach aches caused by amoeba or typhoid; thus, I will not be spending money on medications."

"Hygiene and sanitation at home will now improve because we will have enough water for cleaning. I am planning on planting trees on my farm, and this waterpoint will avail the water for irrigation. These trees will include fruit trees like lemon, mango, and more that will not only supplement my family's daily diet but also earn me an income because I will be selling them," he continued.

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 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. 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 concrete steps to get their water. After installing the pump, we gave the well another few days to let the joints dry.

We worked with the Tondora Umoja 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.

"This training will be helpful in preventing and controlling diseases through hygiene practices and the construction of sanitation infrastructure. We have also learned about water treatment, which is crucial because most of the water sources in our area are contaminated. We will also be selling soap and earn an income as a group because we have learned how to make it. We will use the acquired income to purchase chickens and thus foster food security," shared Stephen.

Chairperson of the Water User Committee, Stephen.

Veronica Matolo led the training at one of the self-help group members' homes on the agreed-upon date. There was good attendance and lively conversation surrounding many of the topics covered. One of the most memorable topics was "three pile sorting." Veronica explained, "Three-pile sorting is a tool under problem analysis. It is meant to analyze community behaviors. It involves sorting posters into three different piles of different activities happening in the posters: good, in-between, and bad hygiene and sanitation behavior practices. During the training, a donkey started braying behind one of the members, and everyone stood up in surprise. This made the topic memorable."

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.

We also touched on health problems in the community, good and bad hygiene behaviors, the spread and prevention of disease, and sanitation improvements. Finally, we covered natural resource management and the operation and maintenance of the sand dam.

Conclusion

This project required a substantial collaboration between our staff, our in-country teams, and the community members. When an issue arises concerning the sand dam, 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 Kenya, Uganda, and Sierra Leone, we're working toward complete coverage. That means 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!

August, 2023: Tondora Community Hand-Dug Well Project Underway!

The lack of adequate water in Tondora Community costs people time, energy, and health every single day. Clean water scarcity contributes to community instability and diminishes individuals’ personal progress.

But thanks to your recent generosity, things will soon improve here. We are now working to install a reliable water point and improve hygiene standards. We look forward to sharing inspiring news in the near future!