Jamulongoji Community

Project Status

Project Type: Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 140 Served

Project Phase: In Service - Jun 2026

Functionality Status: Functional

Project Features

Click icons to learn about each feature.

In the Jamulongoji Community, 140 residents consume unsafe water because they have no other option. The Jamulongoji Spring has had protection attempts previously, but they have never been done properly. The community members report high rates of water-related illnesses. To make matters worse, many people travel from other areas to use this spring, which makes for egregiously long lines and ultimately wastes people's time for dangerous water.

The cloudy water community members are forced to drink.

Nelly Khasandi is a 42-year-old farmer in the community. She is busy running her farm and raising her family, but the water crisis is a consuming fire that demands all her attention. Nelly and her children make the burdensome journey to the spring and back, carrying water at least ten times a day, and each time, they must wait in line for over thirty minutes. It's exhausting.

Nelly Khasandi.

"Since spring broke down, we waste a lot of our time queuing for water, especially when there is traffic at the water point. One has to wait for a longer time compared to before in order to reach his/her turn to draw water. It could be possibly because some water may be seeping beneath the worn-out structure parts, making little water flow out of the discharge pipe," Nelly shared.

Nelly makes the uphill journey home.

The state of the spring is truly holding the community back. Nelly explained how time-consuming the task can often be.

"The longest time I have waited for water here is three hours. This was during [the] dry spell when other springs around this community dried up completely. So long queues [are] witnessed in this spring, because of [the] increased number of water users, hence increased waiting time for one's turn."

Congestion at the spring.

If there were a way around spending all her time collecting water, Nelly would've found it. Unfortunately, water is intertwined with almost every part of our lives.

"Indeed, water is life; this is a component which we cannot live without. Without water in your home, you will not do anything. Water is used in many ways, such as drinking, cleaning, cooking, and even giving [to] animals to drink," Nelly remarked.

Nelly washes her dishes with the cloudy spring water.

But she has dreamed of what her life will be like when their waterpoint is protected and rehabilitated.

"Firstly, I will be able to collect safe and clean water. This is because the waterpoint will no longer be prone to agents of contamination, which cause waterborne and water-related ailments which affect users. Secondly, I will no longer take a lot of time in the spring fetching water. Besides that, the risks normally encountered at the water point, like sliding because of poor access into and out of the spring, will have been dealt with through staircase installation," Nelly reflected.

With access to clean water, there are no limits to the improvements Nelly may see in her life.

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 possible 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

June, 2026: Jamulongoji Community Spring Protection Complete!

Your contribution has made access to clean water for the Jamulongoji 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!

"Access to clean water will relieve me from the burden of treating waterborne diseases and help my children get time to go to school regularly without worrying about fetching water or getting sick," shared 43-year-old Nelly Khasandi. "It will also give me time to work effectively, and my children will get an opportunity to learn, play, and grow healthy so that they achieve their dreams and have a better future."

Ms. Khasandi.

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

"Reliable water will make life better for me, keep me healthy, and [give] me more time in school to learn," shared 15-year-old Holy.

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.

Setting 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.

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.

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.

Grass planting.

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.

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 Jamulongoji Community.

Happiness and thanksgiving flowed in all directions!

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we determined their preferred training date. When the day arrived, facilitators Jonathan Mutai, Christine Masinde, and Janet Kayi deployed to the site to lead the event. 25 people attended the training, including 14 women and 11 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.

Handwash training.

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.

"The training session was lively and full of humor, as participants came from different age groups and social backgrounds. Contributions from each group brought new perspectives and learning moments for the rest. One elderly man drew laughter from the participants when he jokingly remarked that men can take a shower once a week, as there is no need to waste water," shared Jonathan Mutai.

"The new method of treating water using solar energy is worth embracing because it is less costly compared to other methods of water treatment, such as boiling water, which uses firewood and is also time-consuming," shared Alice Asirikwa, when asked what her favorite topic was.

Ms. Asirikwa.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

May, 2026: Exciting Progress in the Jamulongoji Community!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Nelly Khasandi and the entire Jamulongoji 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 Jamulongoji 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!

Jamulongoji Community

Project Status

Community Profile