Rehabilitation Project
This project is a part of our shared program with Africa Sand Dam Foundation. Our team is pleased to directly share the below report (edited for clarity, as needed).
We are sad to report that this project has been cancelled due to unfortunate geology in the area. The community has put all efforts into excavating only to be stopped by layers of hard rock not deep enough to support a well. Funds for this project have been reassigned to another community where a shallow well is to be constructed. To see that project, click here. We will work with our partner to determine if another type of project might benefit the community of Mikuyuni Muumoni in the future.
Background Information
Mikuyuni Muumoni Earth Dam Self-Help Group was formed in 2002. It has 32 members, consisting of 11 men and 21 females. The average age of the group members is 45.1 years old, making it a fairly young-aged group. Before engagement with ASDF, the main activities the group engaged in were terrace-digging and construction of water pans (manmade ponds for water catchment, used for agriculture). The objective of forming this group was to solve the perennial water shortage in the area. From the survey conducted to assess water challenges in the area, 50% of the respondents travel a distance of 1‐2 km each way to fetch water, while 25% travel a distance of 2‐3 km each way in order to fetch water. 58% spend more than one hour in queues waiting to fetch water once there!
Starting in 2012, the group constructed three sand dams on their own which have since eroded away. They did not have the skills or the expertise in building stable and reliable dams. But even with these poor quality dams, the group has been able to see some of the benefits of fetching water there throughout the year. The main scoop holes are located close to where these three dams were constructed.
The Current Source
The main source of water is water kiosks, (community water points connected to boreholes), where community members buy water at five Kenyan shillings per 20-liter jerrican. Water containers are 20-liters unless the children are fetching; children must use a smaller 10 or five-liter jerrican. The container covers are either improvised lids or polythene tied over the openings. The containers also appeared to be very dirty, and should be cleaned before locals fetch drinking water.
Frequent breakdowns of the water-pumping system lead to huge unreliability of water; making water available at the source only a few hours on any given day.
A secondary source of water is the river located over 1 km away. Once at the river, community members must dig scoop holes to collect water. The majority of households own either a bicycle or a donkey, which they use as a means of transporting water home from the different sources. Water-fetching is the responsibility of all family members.
Gathered water is stored in large water reservoirs at the household, which are normally between 100‐500 liters. The size of the water reservoirs is dependent on what the family can afford, and all seem to be made of plastic. To avoid frequent trips to the water source, children always help fetch water during the weekends.
The long distances and time used to fetch water restricts the community from engaging in other socioeconomic activities that could improve the livelihood of the community. The main economic activity of the community is farming, with 62.5% of the members relying solely on agriculture. This wasted time could be retrieved if there were nearby safe water sources.
Sanitation Situation
100% of households have pit latrines, and the majority of them are in great condition. The latrine superstructures are made of concrete and are well-roofed. Because of these good conditions, no open defication was observed during the initial visit.
Garbage disposal has two levels: Within the main house there is a bin that is occasionally emptied into a compost pit at the back of the family compound. Because many of the community members are farmers, they have knowledge on how to make manure from these compost pits.
This community's level of education and exposure to good hygiene and sanitation practices is high. Locals certainly have a basic understanding and the ability to practice hygiene and sanitation. For example, it is normal for latrines to be well-covered and clean.
Training Sessions
The self-help group will be trained for three days using the PHAST (Participatory Health and Sanitation Training) method. Topics will include proper water treatment, hand-washing, and household hygiene.
The group is in its first year of a five-year cooperation agreement with ASDF. During the engagement period, the group will receive help in constructing other, higher quality sand dams. The Machakos County Government has an ambitious plan to do alternative water project in the area which will complement the sand dams.
For this specific project, a hand-dug well will be placed next to a sand dam being built at the same time, which you can see here. It will be lined with concrete and an Afridev pump will be installed. The construction process is expected to take two months. As the sand dam matures, the water table will rise and thus increase the availability of water in the shallow well. The group members have already agreed to continuously monitor the shallow well and ensure that the water quality is not compromised.
This partnership will build upon the preexisting ambition of this self-help group, helping them to realize their dreams of safe, reliable water.
