Sambuli Community 4

Project Status

Project Type: Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 220 Served

Project Phase: In Service - May 2025

Functionality Status: Functional

Project Features

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The Sambuli Community, consisting of 220 members, relies on water from Nelson Wanyonyi Spring. Unfortunately, its poor condition results in the collection and consumption of contaminated water, which can lead to illness.

"Some reported health problems shared by the community members after drinking water from the source are constant stomachache pains, sore throats, and diarrhea. This is said to be common during [the] rainy seasons and the most affected people are children," shared Field Officer Betty Muhongo.

Fourteen-year-old Sharon is one of those affected children.

"It was back last term on Tuesday evening when I felt sharp pain in my stomach, and the pain was very intense. I could not manage to go to school the following day because the pain was too much. The pains could not subside, so I was rushed to the nearest dispensary, where I was diagnosed with [a] bacterial infection caused by dirty food or drink. Everyone at home was worried, and my parents tried their best to look for medication, which took three days for me to be well. My parents went out of their way to look for funds and buy me medicine to take, which really helped," shared Sharon.

Suffering from water-related illness not only absorbs her family's limited resources but also keeps her out of school, causing her to miss valuable learning time and get further away from her goals.

Sharon carrying water.

Understandably, Sharon finds it difficult to concentrate when she is not feeling well.

"If one is sick, you cannot concentrate in class. Even our teachers would not allow you in class if you are still sick," Sharon said.

Sharon is anxious for her spring to change. "My plan is to help mobilize locally available materials for our spring to be protected so that we can have clean and reliable water," she said.

Protecting the spring in her community would enable her to efficiently gather clean water, preserving her health and energy for daily activities.

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

May, 2025: Sambuli Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

Rose Atieno, a community businesswoman, shared, "This waterpoint will ensure that we have clean water, and hopefully, we will not have to worry about water-related or waterborne diseases. I hope not to get sick from water; I hope that it, in turn, makes my life easier and less worrisome."

Rose collects water from the protected spring.

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

11-year-old Rebbeca shared, "With reliable water, I will spend some better time doing my homework and revision for my exams. I will try and do better in all my exams."

Rebbeca toting clean water home!

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.

Community members collect bricks to build the spring walls.

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.

Excavating the spring to make way for the foundation.

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.

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.

Cementing stones to prevent erosion.

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.

Setting tiles to prevent water erosion of the spring floor.

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 above the spring.

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.

A community member helps plant grass.

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 Sambuli 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 Betty Muhongo and Stella Inganji deployed to the site to lead the event. 16 people attended the training, including 13 women and 3 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.

Learning to make soap.

We held an election for the newly formed water user committee who 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.

56-year-old Selina Wanyonyi said of the training, "This training has opened a new page we had not opened for a while. We have been doing things so basically that we did not know. At least we now know that we can always do something more to practice good hygiene correctly."

Ms. Wanyonyi.

"To me, soap making was the most interesting. I am a frequent buyer of soap, and I have to admit, I have never known that it was this easy to make it. It is so easy I can make it for my own use," she continued.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

April, 2025: Exciting Progress in Sambuli Community!

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

Sambuli Community 4

Project Status

Community Profile