Project Status



Project Type:  Protected Dug Well

Regional Program: Southeastern Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 300 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Dec 2025

Functionality Status:  Functional

Project Features


Click icons to learn about each feature.



Community Profile

Report Submitted by
Alex Koech, Communications Officer

The Ndakoni Community has a large population of 3,000 residents. Each and every one of them relies on a single scoop hole. Living in a semi-arid region means they experience extreme drought, so much so that their one water source experiences seasonality. They have lived through this hardship for ten years.

The community at the scoop hole.

"The rocky and hilly terrain in Ndakoni village can certainly make collecting water more challenging. The uneven terrain makes it physically challenging to transport water back to the village because the seasonal scoop hole is located at the bottom [of the] hill," said Field Officer Alex Koech.

Making the trek to the scoop hole adds fuel to the fire of this community's water crisis. Some are not able to make the journey, and those who can inevitably use up all their time trying to collect water. This gets in the way of their livelihoods, caring for their families, or their education.

16-year-old Patrick has lived with this water crisis for most of his life.

Patrick.

"I feel bad that there is no water at the waterpoint due to rampant drought in our area. I feel bad because I have to walk several kilometers under the scorching sun to draw water," he shared.

Patrick doesn't just worry about the distance but also what he may encounter on the way to the scoop hole.

"Walking to the river point is risky due to poisonous snakes on the way," he continued.

Not only is he likely to encounter snakes, but the water he works so hard to collect is contaminated.

"Scoop holes easily become contaminated with pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites from animal waste, runoff, and human activity. This has led to gastrointestinal illnesses. Frequent illnesses due to contaminated water have led to malnutrition, as individuals are unable to absorb nutrients effectively and lose their appetite when ill. Ongoing health issues have led to higher medical expenses for families and strained local healthcare resources," shared Field Officer Alex Koech.

Installing a protected dug well will give Patrick access to clean water that won't steal his time or his health. Instead, he can use that time to study or enjoy his childhood.

Patrick.

"I would spend my time playing football with my friends or studying," Patrick concluded.

Solving the water crisis in this community will require a multifaceted system that will work together to create a sustainable water source that will serve this community for years to come.

Note: Our proposed water point can only serve 300 people per day. We are working with the community to identify other water solutions that will ensure everyone has access to safe and reliable drinking water.

Steps Toward a Solution

Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. Together, they decided to construct a dug well and sand dam.

Dug Well Near A Sand Dam
Once a sand dam is installed and has time to mature by gathering sand and silt, groundwater increases significantly in the entire area surrounding the project. This provides a reliable source of groundwater that wasn’t possible before. As a result, wells can be constructed to take advantage of the water stored and filtered in the collected sand.

During construction, we build a platform for the well and attach a hand pump. The community gains a safe, enclosed water source capable of providing approximately five gallons of water per minute.

This dug-well will be connected to a sand dam to obtain water.

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


December, 2025: Ndakoni Community Well Complete!

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

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

"Now that we can drink clean water, I will be healthier and will not fall sick many times, like before. This will help me stay strong and concentrate in school, so that I can continue working hard to become a doctor in the future," shared 15-year-old Evelyn.

Evelyn.

"Reliable water will help me learn better because I will not miss school or feel weak from stomach problems. I will come to school clean, comfortable, and ready to learn. I will have more time to study because I will not spend many hours fetching water. This will help me focus on my dream of becoming a doctor."

"This new water point will help my parents a lot. Before, they used to spend many hours going to the scoop holes to get water, and sometimes they came home very tired. Now that water is close, they will have more time to work on the farm and take care of our animals. This will help them get more food and also earn more money to pay my school fees."

Protected Dug Well Construction

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 the materials were ready, it was time to dig in!

First, we excavated a hole seven feet in diameter down to the recommended depth of 25 feet. The well lining was constructed using brick and mortar with perforations to allow water to seep through. Now that the well is finished, sand builds up around its walls, which will filter the water stored behind the dam.

Once the well walls and lining were complete, we laid a precast concrete slab on top and joined it to the wall using mortar. The concrete dried for two weeks before installation.

Next, the mechanics arrived to install the well pump as community members watched, learning how to manage simple maintenance tasks. 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 concrete steps to get water. After installing the pump, we gave the well another few days to dry.

We worked with the Self-Help Group for this project. The members and their families contributed tremendous amounts of materials and physical labor.

Community Education

Our trainer worked with the field staff and community members to determine which topics the community could improve upon.

Patrick Ngungu, a 66-year-old farmer, shared, "This topic was very interesting to me because it touched on the real challenges we face as a community. The lessons opened our eyes in a way we had never experienced before. I learned about the seasonal calendar, which helped me understand when diseases are most likely to occur and what causes them. We also learned practical ways of preventing and controlling these diseases through proper hygiene and sanitation. The training taught us the importance of simple, but powerful facilities, like the tippy tap, utensil rack, and rubbish pit, which play a big role in keeping our homes and surroundings clean. I also found it very encouraging that we can use skills like making soap and latrine disinfectant to earn income both at the group level and at home."

We trained the group on various skills, including bookkeeping, financial management, project management, group dynamics, and governance. We conducted hygiene and sanitation training to teach skills like soap and detergent-making and improve habits, such as handwashing.

The tippy tap construction session was an enjoyable experience for the participants.

"This activity entailed the construction of a simple handwashing facility outside the latrine to demonstrate how they’ll construct theirs at home. It also involves demonstration of hand washing procedures. After the tippy tap was constructed, one woman said that the infrastructure was very simple, and it was very easy for women to construct. She added that by the time their husbands come home in the evening, they’ll find the work already done. One man told her that they have started doing work that is mostly done by men, and that’s why homes belong to women nowadays. Other members laughed at the discussion, finding it very interesting," shared Field Officer Alex Koech.

We covered health problems in the community, good and bad hygiene habits, and the prevention of disease. Finally, we covered natural resource management as well as the operation and maintenance of the sand dam.

Thank you for making all of this possible!




November, 2025: Exciting Progress in Ndakoni Community!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Patrick and the entire Ndakoni Community. Construction has begun on the well 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 Ndakoni Community!




October, 2025: Exciting Progress Coming to Ndakoni Community!

The community of Ndakoni is eagerly awaiting the completion of their well. The well and its accompanying sand dam will work in tandem. The sand dam enriches the surrounding environment while storing water beneath the surface so the well can draw from it and provide clean drinking water.

Construction of the well will begin once the funding for the sand dam is complete. We eagerly anticipate this exciting moment and will share the news with you when it arrives!

We’re committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Your trust in our process is vital, and we’re always here to answer any questions you may have.




Project Photos


Project Type

Protected Dug Well

Dug wells have been an important source of water throughout human history! Now, we have so many different types of water sources, but protected dug wells still have their place. Protected dug wells are not as deep as borehole wells, and work best in areas where there is a ready supply of water just under the surface of the ground, such as next to a mature sand dam. Our artisans dig down through the layers of the ground and then line the hole with bricks, stone, or concrete, which prevent contamination and collapse. Then, back up at surface level, we install a well platform and a hand pump so people can draw up the water easily.