Mwitsayi Community

Project Status

Project Type: Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 380 Served

Project Phase: In Service - Aug 2026

Functionality Status: Functional

Project Features

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The Mwitsayi Community, with almost 400 residents, is busting at the seams. The Mwitsayi Spring, the community's primary water source, is hardly a formal waterpoint. Though once protected, the spring no longer offers hope but dread.

Field Officer Christine Masinde shared, "This waterpoint serves a significant number of people. Initially, it was protected by a political aspirant, but now the discharge pipes have been damaged and removed. Currently, the community members have employed a makeshift solution, using a banana stalk to direct water flow into containers. The drainage is clogged, leading to stagnant water collecting at the drawing point. People are forced to step directly into [the] water while fetching. This environment poses health issues due to potential contamination. Poor drainage contributes to [the] unhygienic state of the spring. The spring box is in significant despair, and the staircases are damaged too."

The state of the spring is dire, leaving community members reeling from water-related illnesses.

Josephine Indevhe, 28, has lived with the consequences of this spring, watching it affect her family, and knowing there is no way to stop it.

Josephine stands in the stagnant water at the spring, a requirement to collect it.

"This spring is our only source of water, but it brings us more sickness than health. Just a few months ago, in the middle of the rainy season, my child fell terribly sick. It started with a high fever, then came vomiting and diarrhoea. It was heartbreaking to see my child suffering. I knew it was the water because of the current condition of the spring!" she shared.

"Drinking water that harms me and my family's health is a source of immense fear, hardship, and constant struggle. It is [a] direct threat to my children and the well-being of my entire family. It is a daily nightmare that I desperately want to end," Josephine exclaimed.

Treating the illnesses that besiege her family is often a luxury. "When I have money, I go to a local healthcare facility that is 3 kilometres (almost two miles) away for treatment. This means losing a day's work and spending money I barely have on transport and medicine. Almost every family in Mwitsayi has a similar problem of water-related diseases and challenges in getting treatment," she lamented.

Josephine and other women haul water home.

To add to her burden, when she or her family is sick, it limits her ability to accomplish her crucial tasks, such as tending her home or garden, which helps put food on the table and provides income. This is just another part of her life waylaid by the water crisis. The same thing that causes physical harm to them is the thing they can't live without.

"When I get sick, I miss attending to my house chores and farm activities, which is a major livelihood in our community. This means lost income that could have been used for food and other necessities," she explained.

When you think that's where it ends, another symptom of the water crisis rears its menacing head. Due to the state of disrepair at the spring, not only is the water unsafe to consume, but community members have to queue for hours at a time to collect it. They rarely collect enough water in the first trip, as they have to haul it up a steep hill to get home. Meaning multiple trips, hours and hours wasted standing in line, all for water that detracts from their quality of life.

Waiting for their turn to collect water.

"The longest I have queued as I wait for my turn to fetch water is 4 hours! This was during dry seasons when other waterpoints run dry, and everyone comes to this spring. I did not have any water in the house, so I had to wait in line for my turn to fetch water. To avoid such long queues, one has to sacrifice their sleep and wake up as early as 4 am to go fetch water," she added.

The treacherous uphill journey home.

Repairing their spring means protecting their health, livelihood, and futures. Josephine dreams of a world where she has time to be with her kids in meaningful ways every day; where a water crisis doesn't steal that from her.

"I would have more time to take care of my children and help them with their homework without the constant worry of water collection hanging over me," she shared.

"Water is everything to us. We need it for drinking, cooking, bathing, and keeping our homes clean. We do not need just water, but safe and clean water," asserted Josephine.

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

August, 2026: Mwitsayi Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

"First and foremost, I hope this water point helps solve health issues. Getting water from the water [point] before construction was a nightmare for my family and me. My family has been sick more times than we can count. We are looking forward to better health. I also look forward to a state of peace," shared 29-year-old Josephine Indeche.

Ms. Indeche.

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

Agnes.

"Reliable will improve my life," said 17-year-old Agnes. "I get to have more time for myself now with no congestion at the water point. I can [have] more time to study and improve my grades, which have not been so good lately. I also intend to engage in other school activities, like games. I am good at netball, and I would like to get even better at it through more practice."

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.

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.

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.

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 Mwitsayi 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 Patience Njeri and Daniel Mutuku deployed to the site to lead the event. 19 people attended the training, including 12 women and seven men.

Soap-making session.

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 about safe water handling.

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.

Learning about proper handwashing techniques.

Open defecation practices and safe water handling practices within the community were the two most popular topics of discussion. The participants acknowledged that they needed to do better and, based on their learning, developed strategies to ensure they do so in the future.

Ms. Matendechere.

"Open defecation is still an issue in our community. I am glad we got to attend the training and to agree and learn about the importance of having sanitation facilities in our houses. We as community members agree to do better in matters [of] sanitation because it would mean better health for us all," said participant Priscilla Matendechere, 40.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

June, 2026: Exciting Progress in the Mwitsayi Community!

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

Mwitsayi Community

Project Status

Community Profile