Gambo Community

Project Status

Project Type: Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 364 Served

Project Phase: In Service - Apr 2025

Functionality Status: Functional

Project Features

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The 364 members of the Gambo Community struggle to access safe, sufficient water. Their community water source, Asava Spring, is broken down and not functioning correctly, adversely affecting the entire community by causing severe waterborne illnesses.

Field Officer Daniel Mwanzia described the spring as follows: "This waterpoint is in a bad state of disrepair. The spring box is non-existent. You can actually hear the sound of water flowing in the backfilled area. The wing walls and headwall are badly damaged. Water is oozing underneath the headwall, and the collection area is waterlogged due to the lack of a functional drainage channel."

"Water from this source appears clear but has an unpleasant smell. I believe this is due to the fact that the spring box isn't properly covered, and I also found farm animals grazing nearby," he continued.

53-year-old farmer Francis Aligula is familiar with the outcomes of his community's water crisis.

"A month ago, I was hit by a stomach bug. I had diarrhea and vomiting. I visited the nearby dispensary, and the clinical officer confirmed it was caused by drinking contaminated water. I got treated but had to be in bed for five days, and that is something I wouldn't want to happen to anyone else in my family. Unfortunately, this is not the only time I got sick; it has been a recurring experience," he shared.

Francis.

"I have lost income every time my children or myself have fallen ill. Treating some of these illnesses is expensive. Being sick keeps me from performing any income-generating activities. Nobody deserves to drink contaminated water; it's shameful, demeaning and lowers one's dignity. Getting frequently sick doesn't just affect my finances, it weakens the immune system as well," continued Francis.

But time spent sick is not the only downfall of the dilapidated spring. Because the spring's eye isn't properly channeled, the water's output is not as it should be, causing long lines, delayed activities, and unrest within the community.

People waiting to collect water.

We asked Francis how long he had waited for water. "Three hours! This has happened on numerous occasions, especially when other waterpoints in neighboring communities dry up or reduce discharge. The nearby school's waterpoint has had challenges in the past, and that means students have to collect water from our source. This has led to long queues and competition."

Francis, who plays an important role in the community, shared how the water crisis affected his ability to do the crucial tasks he had to put off in the name of water collection.

"I'm the village elder in my community, and I would love more time to serve my people. Secondly, I still have children in school and college and that means I require money for their education. I'd rather have more time to engage in income-generating activities than queue for water," he shared.

Francis at the spring.

Protecting the spring will filter the naturally flowing water and lessen the chance of water-related illnesses. The water will also be channeled properly, increasing the discharge rate to reduce long lines and wasted time.

"We are literally living in fear because the quality of the water we drink every day cannot be guaranteed. Sadly, this is the only nearby waterpoint we know as a community," said Francis.

"People in this community have endured suffering for a long time and need to be rescued from their misery as quickly as possible. I believe this water point is in dire need of reprotection so as to alleviate the health challenges faced by this community," concluded field officer Daniel.

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, 2025: Gambo Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

We transformed their spring into a flowing source of naturally filtered water. A chlorine dispenser was 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!

Community members celebrate clean water!

"Due to the reduction of water-related ailments, personally, I will get time to focus fully on income-generating activities like farming, and this will help me get something for my family. My children will no longer have to miss school due to illnesses related to contaminated water. Hence, they'll have more time for studies, and that will help them achieve their future hopes and dreams," shared farmer Francis Aligula.

Mr. Aligula.

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

We asked 11-year-old Irene how this newly protected spring would impact her education. She said, "It will eliminate the burden of overstaying at the water point, allowing more time for studies. It supports hygiene practices such as handwashing, curbing the spread of diseases, ensuring I have more time at school."

Irene splashing clean, accessible water!

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.

A community member prepares materials for the spring protection.

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.

Laying 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.

Wall construction.

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.

Backfilling the spring to prevent erosion.

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 got the okay from their local field officers to fetch water.

We officially gave ownership of the waterpoint to the Gambo Community.

Happiness and thanksgiving flowed in all directions!

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we found their preferred date for training. When the day arrived, facilitators, Nelly Chebet and Jonathan Mutai deployed to the site to lead the event. 16 people attended the training, including 11 women and 5 men.

Handwashing training.

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 Jonathon Mutai said, "All participants were attentive, eager to learn, and enthusiastically volunteered to demonstrate when required to do so. They kept the trainers engaged with follow-up questions and also answered the questions directed to them."

Ms. Olale.

Janet Olale, a local farmer and the treasurer of the Water User Committee, said of the training, "This training made me realize how proper sanitation and hygiene practices can change the lives of a community. Good health is now within reach, and as the treasurer of the Water User Committee, I will actively play my role by ensuring my neighbors and village maintain high hygiene standards."

Thank you for making all of this possible!

February, 2025: Exciting Progress in Gambo Community, Thanks to You!

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