Mundoli Community 4

Project Status

Project Type: Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 217 Served

Project Phase: In Service - Apr 2026

Functionality Status: Functional

Project Features

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The Mundoli Community has 217 residents, all of who rely on Thomas Senyenje Spring, which is in bad shape. Though it was once protected, it has since fallen into disrepair and is not functioning as it should. The water it produces is dangerous to consume, but unfortunately, they have no other choice.

The spring in need of protection.

40-year-old Thomas Senyenje, a local farmer, shared his family's harrowing experience.

"Last year, my family experienced firsthand the consequences of drinking unsafe water from our community's partially protected spring. My younger sibling fell seriously ill, suffering from intense stomach pains, vomiting, and diarrhea after consuming the contaminated water. It was a distressing time for our family as we rushed them to the clinic for medical treatment."

"Witnessing their pain and discomfort was heartbreaking, and it made us acutely aware of the dangers posed by our current water source. This experience underscored the urgent need for improvements to ensure the health and well-being of everyone in our community."

Mr. Senyenje.

Thomas lives in fear of the very water he and his family need to survive. He knows that every time he or a family member falls ill, he will have to make the choice to pay for medical care or meet their other needs.

"I usually resort to over-the-counter medications and anti-diarrheal pills when I fall ill due to drinking contaminated water. These treatments help alleviate the symptoms temporarily, but they don't solve the underlying problem. As for the financial aspect, yes, medical expenses can be quite burdensome for me. They often eat into my limited income, making it even more challenging to afford basic necessities like food and education for my children. It's a constant struggle to balance my health needs with the financial realities I face," Thomas continued.

Not only does Thomas sacrifice his health and income, but the water crisis also consumes his time. Protecting the spring can change the narrative for Thomas and the rest of the Mundoli Community.

"If I didn't have to spend so much of my day fetching water, I would use that time to focus on education and income generation. I would ensure that my children attend school regularly, allowing them to receive a quality education without interruptions. With the extra time, I could also engage in income-generating activities such as starting a small business or tending to our farm, which would contribute to our family's financial stability. Additionally, I would use some of the time for community engagement, participating in local projects aimed at improving infrastructure or providing support to those in need," he shared.

Living without safe water highlights its importance for Thomas. He answered passionately when we asked what water meant to him.

"To me, water isn't just a basic necessity; it's the essence of life itself, especially given the challenges we currently face. Clean water means good health and well-being for ourselves and our families. It's the difference between spending our days battling waterborne illnesses and thriving with vitality. With reliable access to clean water, I could redirect the countless hours spent fetching water toward activities that could uplift our livelihoods."

"My children could attend school regularly, uninterrupted by water-related chores or sickness, allowing them to pursue their education and break the cycle of poverty. Moreover, clean water is essential for community development. It's the foundation upon which we can build a better future, attracting investment, improving living standards, and fostering a sense of pride and prosperity in our community. In every sense, water truly is life for us, holding the key to a brighter and more hopeful tomorrow," he concluded.

Clean water access will change Thomas' life; protecting the spring is the first step.

Steps Toward a Solution

Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. They decided to safeguard the existing flowing spring.

Spring Protection
Springs are natural water sources that originate from deep underground. As water travels through various layers of the earth, it undergoes a natural filtration process, making it cleaner and safer to drink. To protect these spring sources from contamination, we construct a waterproof cement structure around layers of clay, stone, and soil. This design channels the spring water through a discharge pipe, facilitating easier, faster, and cleaner water collection.

Chlorine Dispenser
As an extra measure towards water quality safety, uniquely engineered chlorine dispensers are installed at all of our spring protection projects so community members can treat their water with pre-measured doses of chlorine. The chlorine treats any residual contamination and stays active for two to three days, ensuring water stays safe to use even when stored at home. Chlorine delivery and maintenance of the dispensers are part of our ongoing community support.

Community Education & Ownership
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each community's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point. Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for everyone in the community. Encouraged and supported by the guidance of our team, a water user committee representative of the community's diverse members assumes responsibility for maintaining the water point, often gathering fees to ensure its upkeep.

Project Updates

April, 2026: Mundoli Community Spring Protection Complete!

Your contribution has made access to clean water for the Mundoli Community possible!

We transformed their spring into a flowing source of naturally filtered water. A chlorine dispenser is installed to provide added protection, and we trained the community on improved sanitation and hygiene practices. Together, these components will unlock the opportunity for community members to thrive!

Thomas Senyeje shared, "Access to water will play a significant role in shaping the future of our children. With clean and reliable water nearby, children will spend less time out of class looking for water. If they do spend more time in school, I believe that they will be able to focus better and even perform better in their academic studies. Better studies equal better understanding, and they will definitely cope better as adults."

He continued discussing the benefits of accessing clean water: "I know the importance of clean water, and if we have it around, then we will be at peace knowing that we will not have to go to [the] hospital often for illnesses relating to dirty water. That will save us some money and time for other activities, for us to grow better and focus on our dreams and goals."

Mr. Senyeje.

Children were just as excited as adults about clean water access!

"Because it flows much faster and cleaner, I will be able to shorten the time I spend at the spring and do other things. I can use the extra time to try [to] make some money to support my parents as well as my future dreams," expressed 12-year-old Stacy.

Stacy.

Preparing for Spring Protection

Community members worked together to source all locally available construction materials for the spring. These included bricks, sand, stones, and fencing poles. Because people have to carry most items by hand, the material-collection process can take anywhere from a few weeks to months.

When the community was ready, we delivered the remaining construction materials, including cement, plastic tarps, and hardware. Then our construction artisan and field officers deployed to the spring to begin work.

Protecting the Spring: A Step-by-Step Process

First, we excavated the spring area. This includes digging a drainage channel below the spring and several runoff diversion channels above and around the spring to help divert surface contaminants away.

To ensure community members could still access water throughout the construction process, we also dug temporary channels around the construction site to allow water to continue to flow. Excavation created space for setting the spring's foundation.

Establishing the foundation.

After establishing the base, made of thick plastic, wire, concrete, and waterproof cement, we started brickwork to build the spring walls and stairs. Once the walls were tall enough, we began one of the most crucial steps: setting the discharge pipe. The discharge pipe needs to be positioned low enough so the water level never rises above the spring's eye, yet high enough to allow room for the average collection container (20-liters) to sit beneath the pipe without making contact, to prevent cross-contamination.

Setting the discharge pipe.

If we place the pipe too high, back pressure could force water to emerge elsewhere. Too low, and community members would not be able to access the water easily.

In coordination with the walls and stairs, we cemented stones on both sides of the spring's drainage channel. These stones discourage people and animals from standing in that area, which could cause soil erosion and a clogged drainage area.

Plastering the spring walls and stairs.

We then cemented and plastered the spring walls. These finishing layers reinforce the brickwork and prevent water in the reservoir from seeping through. In turn, enough pressure builds to push water out through the discharge pipe.

As the walls cured, we finished the stairs and installed tiles beneath the discharge pipe. The tiles protect the concrete from the falling water's erosive force.

Tile setting.

We redirected the temporary diversion channels back into the reservoir box and closed all other exits to force water through only the discharge pipe. We filled the reservoir area with the large, clean stones arranging them in layers like a well-fitting puzzle. We covered the rocks with thick plastic and piled enough dirt on top to compensate for future settling.

Community members transplanted grass to help prevent erosion, and the collection area was fenced. The fence prevents people or animals from walking in the area above the spring, as compaction of this area can potentially compromise water quality.

Community members plant grass to help prevent erosion.

The construction process took about two weeks of work and patience. As soon as the spring was ready, people received permission from their local field officers to fetch water.

We officially transferred ownership of the waterpoint to the Mundoli Community. Happiness and thanksgiving flowed in all directions!

The spring is complete!

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we determined their preferred training date. When the day arrived, facilitators Betty Muhongo, Mildred Mboha, and Jonathan Mutai deployed to the site to lead the event. 24 people attended the training, including 15 women and 9 men.

We discussed personal, oral, and environmental hygiene, emphasizing proper water handling, soap-making, and the ten steps of handwashing. We also highlighted the importance of primary health care and covered the operation and maintenance of the water point, as well as leadership and governance. By the end of the training, each participant had a clear understanding of their role in maintaining clean water and promoting good health within their community.

We held an election for the newly formed water user committee, which will oversee the maintenance of the spring. We brainstormed income-generating activities and encouraged them to start a group savings account for future minor repairs to the spring.

Facilitator Betty Muhongo shared the topic that stirred the most interest. "The topic that prompted the most discussion was water management and maintenance of the new water point. Participants were particularly interested in how responsibilities would be shared within the community to ensure sustainability. A memorable discussion arose when several members suggested forming a water committee and introducing small household contributions for repairs, while others raised concerns about affordability. This exchange showed both the community’s strong interest in protecting the new water point and their commitment to finding workable solutions," Betty said.

Soapmaking.

75-year-old farmer Hilda Juma shared her experience in the training.

"The training had a positive impact on participants’ views about hygiene practices in their households, schools, and the wider community. Many noted that the sessions helped them recognize gaps in their current practices and inspired them to make improvements. For instance, they expressed a greater awareness of the need for consistent handwashing, proper waste disposal, and the use of clean water storage containers. Participants reported feeling more responsible and motivated to apply what they learned for the benefit of their families and community," said Ms. Juma.

Hilda Juma.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

February, 2026: Exciting Progress in Mundoli Community!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Thomas and the entire Mundoli Community. Construction has begun on the spring protection project, bringing them one step closer to having clean, reliable water.

But that's not all—during construction, we’re also providing vital health training. These sessions equip the community with essential hygiene practices, ensuring that the benefits of clean water extend to lasting health improvements.

We’re so grateful for your role in making this possible. Stay tuned for more updates—soon, we’ll be celebrating the arrival of safe water in the Mundoli Community!

Project Type

Springs are water sources that come from deep underground, where the water is filtered through natural layers until it is clean enough to drink. Once the water pushes through the surface of the Earth, however, outside elements like waste and runoff can contaminate the water quickly. We protect spring sources from contamination with a simple waterproof cement structure surrounding layers of clay, stone, and soil. This construction channels the spring’s water through a discharge pipe, making water collection easier, faster, and cleaner. Each spring protection also includes a chlorine dispenser at the waterpoint so community members can be assured that the water they are drinking is entirely safe. Learn more here!