Khwihondwe Community

January, 2025: Khwihondwe Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

"I have children and grandchildren, and I am glad that the water project has provided us with clean and safe water where we can use chlorine to make sure we drink treated water to prevent us [from] getting waterborne diseases like typhoid. This will reduce the chances of me and my family getting ill and my grandchildren missing school where their performance will really improve," shared 70-year-old Consepta Echesa.

Ms. Echesa.

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

Muhammed.

"I am very happy that now I will not go to school late or miss because we have clean and safe water, which will reduce the chances of contracting waterborne diseases, and this will, in turn, improve my learning by studying more and improving on my grades," said 10-year-old Muhammed.

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 help collect project materials.

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 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.

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

We officially gave ownership of the waterpoint to the Khwihondwe 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 Mercy Odongo, Joy Ongeri, and Jacqueline Kangu deployed to the site to lead the event. 26 people attended the training, including 17 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 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.

Dental hygiene session.

Field Officer Joy Ongeri shared the highlights of the hygiene training sessions: "The participants were mesmerized that they only needed a small quantity of toothpaste and not a lot. The participants were very active in the discussions. They were attentive, and after the topic was done, the facilitator probed each one of them on what they had learned, and without fail, each gave a point on personal hygiene."

Learning to make soap.

"Soap making and oral hygiene were the most interesting topics for me where I was able to know how to make soap, which I thought was very hard to make. Now I will be able to make [it] for my household, and [I] was able to learn that we brush our tongues to prevent our mouths from having [a] bad smell," shared 42-year-old farmer Roselyne Ouma.

Ms. Ouma.

"I was able to learn how to wash my hands with the ten steps and also how to handle water whereby water hygiene starts with me where we should be careful while fetching water to prevent the water collected from the spring from being contaminated," she continued.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

October, 2024: Khwihondwe Community Spring Protection Underway!

The lack of adequate water in Khwihondwe Community costs people time, energy, and health every single day. Clean water scarcity contributes to community instability and diminishes individuals’ personal progress.

But thanks to your recent generosity, things will soon improve here. We are now working to install a reliable water point and improve hygiene standards. We look forward to sharing inspiring news in the near future!