Kyamwau Community 2B

March, 2022: Kyamwau Community C Hand-Dug Well Complete!

Kyamwau Community, Kenya, now has a new source of water thanks to your donation. We constructed a new hand-dug well adjacent to a new sand dam on the riverbed. The sand dam will build up sand to raise the water table and naturally filter water, while the well will provide a safer method of drawing drinking water for the community.

Community members stand on the well they helped build.

It could take up to three years of rain for this sand dam to reach maximum capacity, because sometimes it only rains once a year! As the sand dam matures and stores more sand, the surrounding landscape will become lush and fertile.

"Access to clean and reliable water for me is a big plus," said 18-year-old Charity M. "I will be able to practice hygiene at home and make sure that everyone adheres to [the] measures given to us in the training. I will use the water for drinking and washing, as I am a girl and I love cleanliness, especially at my home."

Charity near the new sand dam.

"I [have] plans to make my home clean and, environment-wise, to have it covered with trees. Now, I will use water from this sand dam to water the trees and make sure they survive, hence achieving my goal."

"This project is very beneficial to me personally," said 57-year-old Sabina Mukulu. "I am going to enjoy the access to clean water, which is just meters from my home. I will no longer have to walk [a] long [way] or waste a lot of time in search of water. The time I used to spend searching for water will be driven to my shamba (garden) so that I can prepare the land on time and expect high yields."

Sabina.

"Instead of walking all the way to the market to get vegetables at a [higher] cost, I will grow my own vegetables," Sabina continued. "Thus I will be able to enjoy fresh food from my farm, and also this will keep me busy. I also anticipate that my health will be boosted because the food I will be consuming will not have chemicals. I hope in [the] future to sell the surplus after my family is well-fed."

Hand-Dug Well Construction Process

Construction for this well was a success!

We delivered the experts, materials, and tools, but the community helped get an extraordinary amount of work done, too. They collected local materials to supplement the project, including sand, stones, and water. When all of the materials were ready, it was time to dig in!

First, we excavated a hole 7 feet in diameter up to the recommended depth of 25 feet. (Most hand-dug wells do not reach that depth due to hard rocks between 10-18 feet). As planned, the diameter shrank to 5 feet when the well lining was complete. This lining is made of brick and mortar with perforations to allow for water to seep through. When the well is complete, sand builds up around its walls, which will naturally filter the rainwater stored behind the dam.

Once the lining reached ground level, we laid a precast concrete slab on top of the lining and joined it to the wall using mortar. The concrete dried for two weeks before installation. In preparation for the hand pump's installation, we fixed four bolts onto the slab during casting.

Next, the mechanics arrived to install the pump as community members watched, learning how to manage simple maintenance tasks for themselves. Finally, we gave the well another few days after installing the pump to let the joints dry completely. We installed the pump level with the top of the sand dam. As the dam matures, sand will build up to the top of the wall. Until then, people will use the concrete steps to get their water.

We worked with the Kwa Kalekye Self-Help Group for this project. The members and their families contributed materials and physical labor. We trained the group on various skills, including bookkeeping, financial management, project management, group dynamics, and governance. We also conducted hygiene and sanitation training to teach skills like soapmaking and improve behaviors such as handwashing.

New Knowledge

We trained the group on various skills, including bookkeeping, financial management, project management, group dynamics, and governance. We also conducted hygiene and sanitation training to teach skills like soapmaking and improve behaviors such as handwashing.

Our trainer conferred with the field staff about their previous visits to households and interviews with community members to determine which topics the community could improve upon. The training took place at a nearby church named Jesus Celebrations Church in Kaseve Village.

"The training was very good for us," said Penninah Musembi, 54. "We have been able to adopt this by washing our utensils well as well as drying them. We have also been able to install handwashing points near our latrines so as to make sure that one washes their hands each and every time they visit the latrine to avoid spreading diseases."

Penninah.

We decided to train on health problems in the community, good and bad hygiene behaviors, the spread and prevention of disease, sanitation improvements, planning for behavioral change, handwashing, and soap-making.

"This knowledge will help me to ensure that I don't contract diseases unnecessarily," concluded Penninah.

When an issue arises concerning the sand dam, the group members are equipped with the necessary skills to rectify the problem and ensure it works appropriately. However, if the issue is beyond their capabilities, they can contact our field officers to assist them.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

January, 2022: Kyamwau Community Hand-Dug Well Underway!

A severe clean water shortage in Kyamwau drains people’s time, energy, and health. Thanks to your generosity, we’re working to install a clean water point and much more.

Get to know this community through the introduction and pictures we’ve posted, and read about this water, sanitation, and hygiene project. We look forward to reaching out with more good news!