Project Status



Project Type:  Sand Dam

Regional Program: Southeastern Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 500 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Sep 2016

Functionality Status:  Functional

Last Checkup: 11/26/2024

Project Features


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Community Profile

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).

Welcome to the Community

The Itatini Self-Help Group was formed in the year 2012. It has a membership of 37 different households that come from three different villages: Mukimwani Village, Kivani Village, and Katitu Village. The total population from all three of the villages is about 1400. The villages are located in Mukimwani Sub-Location which had a population 5202 people as of last year. The area is one of the most densely-populated areas and thus has a massive water shortage. (Editor’s Note: While this many people may have access on any given day, realistically a single water source can only support a population of 350-500 people. This community would be a good candidate for a second project in the future so adequate water is available. To learn more, click here.)

Economy

As of a 2015 survey, the main socio-economic activities for the group members include:

– 16% depend on causal labour. Causal labour is an activity where one engages on household related jobs which are not frequently available. They also depend on the season e.g. most causal labour happens during harvest time and planting season.

– 10 % are employed members in different professionals e.g. teachers

– 66 % of the group depend on farming

– 6% operate small businesses.

Agricultural Practices

Agriculture is the livelihood for the community. ASDF works to empower farmers in practicing climate-smart agriculture which entails planting drought-tolerant seeds, planting trees, and digging terraces to help keep soil from eroding and boost soil fertility. These practices  improve the harvests of the farmers.

Water Situation

Itatini Self-Help Group’s first sand dam was constructed at the end of 2015. The 2015 sand dam has only caught one rainfall, and needs one more before it is fully matured. This means that the community still doesn’t have sufficient water to meet all of their agricultural needs, but looks forward to it in the future. People are accessing water from scoop holes they dig by the sand dam, because the shallow well constructed alongside the dam is still surrounded by water. Once enough sand builds up, locals will be able to get to the well and pump water that is naturally filtered by the dam's sand. This first sand dam has reduced the water shortage, and prolonged rains have resulted in the sand dam harvesting water and building up sand to mature faster. However, another sand dam and shallow well are still needed to reduce the two kilometers traveled by some community members living further out.

In order to ensure equitable access of water for the large population, the community has decided to build several sand dams and shallow wells along the main river channels to ensure that all members have a fair distance to travel for water. This second sand dam is now being constructed which will follow the maturity process as outlined above, building up sand and raising the water table to create a natural, sustainable, filtered water source that is accessed from a water well! (Take a look at the adjacent hand-dug well project here!)

Sanitation Situation

Since this is the second year of intervention with this self-help group, members have already attended hygiene and sanitation training. 100% of households have pit latrines that are well-ventilated, dug to no less than 15 feet, and are very clean. With these great conditions, open defecation isn't an issue anymore.  All of the households have useful tools like dish racks and clotheslines to dry belongings. Farmers have also been taught about composting, so each household has a large pit for compostable waste and a smaller one for garbage.

Most community members have at least received a basic education, providing them with a little knowledge on hygiene and sanitation. Even though training was conducted last year, minimal emphasis is put on practices like hand-washing and water treatment.

Plans: Hygiene and Sanitation Training

The refresher hygiene and sanitation training will be held for two days in the community. Self-help group members will share their schedules so that the most convenient time can be agreed on, and everyone will be alerted ahead of time. After our recent check-in with the community, the facilitator has decided to focus on the topics of hand-washing and water treatment.

Plans: Sand Dam Construction

The sand dam is projected to be 62 meters long and 2.9 meters high. The best location was agreed upon by the community, and we verified that there is sufficient bedrock for dam stability.

Itatini Self-Help Group has inspired other groups in the area by their hard work and success so far. Many members of the community who are not in self-help groups have been encouraged to start the registration process. Itatini is a role model to these new groups, and they plan to do more dams in different areas of their villages to ensure that all water needs are met.

Project Updates


December, 2017: A Year Later: Itatini Self-Help Group

A year ago, generous donors helped build a sand dam for the Itatini Self-Help Group in Kenya. Because of these gifts and our monthly donors, partners are able to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one from partners Mutheu Mutune, Joe Kioko and Titus Mbithi with you.




Project Photos


Project Type

Sand dams are huge, impressive structures built into the riverbeds of seasonal rivers (rivers that disappear every year during dry seasons). Instead of holding back a reservoir of water like a traditional dam would, sand dams accumulate a reservoir of silt and sand. Once the rain comes, the sand will capture 1-3% of the river’s flow, allowing most of the water to pass over. Then, we construct shallow wells on the riverbank to provide water even when the river has dried up, thanks to new groundwater reserves. Learn more here!


A Year Later: Itatini Sand Dam

November, 2017

This has transformed our environment and our children never lack food or even basic needs because we sell the farm products and get money.

Keeping The Water Promise

There's an incredible community of monthly donors who have come alongside you in supporting clean water in Itatini Community 2A.

This giving community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help Itatini Community 2A maintain access to safe, reliable water. Together, they keep The Water Promise.

We’re confident you'll love joining this world-changing group committed to sustainability!

A year ago, generous donors helped build a sand dam for the Itatini Self-Help Group in Kenya. Because of these gifts and our monthly donors, partners are able to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one from partners Mutheu Mutune, Joe Kioko and Titus Mbithi with you.


This sand dam has supported the community with water that has transformed the environment. Most of the community members living in this area have planted trees, which further conserve the environment. Time that was initially wasted looking for water is now used for income-generating activities. Livestock no longer lack drinking water and die during the dry months. Washing clothes is made easy due to the soft water from the project.

And thanks to the surplus of water this sand dam provides, the adjacent well is able to pump clean, safe water from the catchment area. Community members were trained on how to take care of their drinking water, and since then, minimal cases of waterborne diseases have been reported. The land is truly changing from brown to green.

Justina and her husband pumping water at the well adjacent to the oasis this sand dam has created.

Justina Pius, the chairwoman overseeing this water project, had a lot to say. "The project has supported us through growing vegetables, and even the non self-help group members use the flowing water to irrigate their farms. This has transformed our environment and our children never lack food or even basic needs because we sell the farm products and get money. Our vegetables survive for long, unlike before. This project has enlightened us on income-generating activities... I had planted kales, spinach, pumpkins, onions and maize and income from these crop sales have enabled me to clear the school fee balance for my children! My family never lacks food to eat and we take three meals a day, unlike before when food was very scarce due to erratic rainfall. The environment has also changed and we hope to see it change [more] in the next few years."

Justina Pius proudly stands amidst all of the vegetables she's planted since the sand dam's completion.

Her daughter Mwongeli told us, "I have become more clean and healthier because of the water available for washing my clothes and bathing. Before we used to be dirty because we could skip days without even taking a bath due to lack of water but now the water is usually available all year long. My self-esteem has improved because I am usually clean. Even my school uniform is usually clean!"


The Water Project and our partners are committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by monthly donors, allows us to visit communities up to four times a year. Read more about our program and how you can help.


Navigating through intense dry spells, performing preventative maintenance, conducting quality repairs when needed and continuing to assist community leaders to manage water points are all normal parts of keeping projects sustainable. The Water Promise community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help Itatini Community 2A maintain access to safe, reliable water.

We’d love for you to join this world-changing group committed to sustainability.

The most impactful way to continue your support of Itatini Community 2A – and hundreds of other places just like this – is by joining our community of monthly givers.

Your monthly giving will help provide clean water, every month... keeping The Water Promise.


Contributors

Project Underwriter - Elizabeth Crowell
South Pontotoc Elementary School
Sigma Alpha Sorority at UGA
Solomon's Porch Sunday School Class
Coops For A Cause
Fremont Magnet
Project 3-30 by Clay, Nirvana, and Amy
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Women
Visvero, Inc.
Tias Water Wish.
Dickinson Gators
85 individual donor(s)