August, 2022: Kithalani Community Sand Dam Complete!

Kithalani Community, Kenya now has access to a new water source thanks to your donation! We constructed a new sand dam on the riverbed, which will build up sand to raise the water table and naturally filter water over time. We also built a new hand-dug well with a hand pump adjacent to the sand dam, providing the community with a safer method to draw drinking water supplied by the dam.

Community members celebrate the completion of their sand dam, standing where water will one day flow.

"The availability of clean water from this water point will ensure I am no longer exposed to infections such as typhoid, dysentery, amoeba, and other stomach upsets," said 36-year-old farmer Musyimi Kavuthi.

"Although we already had a protected dug well, it was quite far from my place and I could at times settle for water from scoop holes. I will also be able to cultivate a kitchen garden and plant various trees because this water point offers enough water for most of us."

A community member uses water at his new farm.

"Unlike before, this water point is nearby," Musyimi continued. "Thus, I no longer walk long distances searching for water. I will use the extra time to focus on improving my crop yields. Building toilets or other infrastructure at home will also be easier because the water point provides enough water for such affairs. My children will also have clean water to drink and prepare meals. I will no longer have to send them to go fetch water from other distant sources of water.

"This water point will improve my food security because I can plant and irrigate vegetables and other crops for subsistence purposes. I will also be able to sell some of my farm produce to other community members and use the funds to pay school fees and achieve financial stability.

"Hygiene and sanitation will also improve since the water point provides sufficient water for personal and household use. The improved hygiene and sanitation will prevent [the] contraction of infections such as cholera, typhoid, amoeba, dysentery, and more, thus leading to optimum health. I will also have enough water to make soap and kerol (detergent) that I will use at home and sell to other community members."

Sand Dam Construction Process

The members of Lenza Mukuyuni Self-Help Group collected all of the local materials like rocks and sand required to complete the dam. The collection of raw construction materials takes longer than the actual construction, lasting up to four months for a large sand dam. The group also dedicated their time and energy to support our artisans with physical labor throughout the project.

Community members unearth rocks for use in construction of the sand dam.

First, our team drew siting and technical designs and presented them to the Water Resources Management Authority. We also sent a survey to the National Environment Management Authority for approval before we began construction.

Once the plans were approved, we established firm bedrock at the base of the sand dam wall. In the absence of good bedrock, we excavate to a depth at which the ground is compact enough to stop seepage.

Next, we mixed and heaped mortar (a mixture of sand, cement, and water) into the foundation, followed by rocks once there was enough mortar. We then used barbed wire and rebar to reinforce the mixture.

Once the foundation was complete, we built a timber skeleton to hold the sludge and rocks above ground level. Once our first layer dried, we repeated the process until reaching a sufficient height, width, and length.

Finally, we dismantled the vertical timber beams and left the dam to cure. This dam measures 39 meters long and three meters high and took 690 bags of cement to build.

As soon as it rains, the dam will build up sand and store water. With this water, the surrounding landscape will become lush and fertile, and the well will provide drinking water to the community. It could take up to three years of rain for this sand dam to reach maximum capacity because in this region, sometimes it only rains once a year!

New Knowledge

Our trainer conferred with the field staff about previous household visits and interviews with community members to determine which topics the community could improve upon.

Training exercise.

We decided to do a refresher training on health problems in the community, good and bad hygiene behaviors, the spread and prevention of disease, and sanitation improvements.

Using a tippy tap.

We also covered various skills, including bookkeeping, financial management, project management, group dynamics, and governance.

Soapmaking.

We included techniques like soapmaking and handwashing.

Farmer William Musyoka, who is the Chairman of the Water User Committee, said, "Honestly, we had relaxed in some practices like water treatment and handwashing; very critical practices that spread diseases at a very high rate, but now after that refresher, we have chosen to go start practicing."

William.

He continued, "We are going to share the knowledge and skills with our neighbors and friends so as to make the change uniform in our area. I’m also sure that the new members will benefit so much from this training and utilize it in their homes."

Conclusion

This project required a substantial collaboration between our staff, our partners, and the community members themselves. When an issue arises concerning the well, 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.

Also, we will continue to offer them unmatchable support as a part of our ongoing monitoring and maintenance program. We have an ongoing commitment to walk with each community, cooperatively problem-solving when they face challenges of any kind: with functionality, seasonality, or water quality issues. With all these components together, we strive to ensure enduring access to reliable, clean, and safe water for this community.

With your contribution, one more piece has been added to a large puzzle of water projects. In our target areas, we’re working toward complete coverage of reliable, maintained water sources within a 30-minute round trip for each community, household, school, and health center. With this in mind, search through our upcoming projects to see which community you can help next!

Thank you for making all of this possible!

June, 2022: Kithalani Community Sand Dam Underway!

A severe clean water shortage in Kithalani Community 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!