Ithambangwao Community 1A

October, 2023: Ithambangwao Community Sand Dam Complete!

Ithambangwao, 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.

"I am very glad because I will not be spending most of my day fetching water, and I will easily get water for drinking, cooking, and irrigating my vegetables. My cattle and goats will also easily get water to drink, and I do not have to herd them all the way to [the] distant earth dam or scoop holes," said 60-year-old farmer Lucy Francis.

"I will also get enough water to wash my clothes and conduct other personal hygiene duties. In the past, I would spend [most] of the day walking to and fro Ndalani earth dam; thus, water was used sparingly, and hygiene and sanitation were often overlooked," continued Lucy.

"I am very happy that I will get enough clean water while also selling it to fellow community members at a reasonable figure. I will also have enough water to irrigate vegetables, which will supplement my family's diet. I will also have more time and energy to keep my house clean, prepare meals for my family members, and take care of my cattle," concluded Lucy.

Sand Dam Construction Process

The members of Kaliluni Mtunze Punda Womens Self-Help Group collected all of the local materials, like rocks and sand, required to complete the dam. The collection of raw 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.

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 70 meters long and 3 meters high and took 890 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!

"Although the group did not hold a dedication event, they were very happy about the project. They were very proud of it because they would no longer be walking several kilometers to draw water. They thanked the partners who assisted them in building the sand dam and shallow well project," said field officer Alex Koech.

New Knowledge

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

The training was held at Kaliluni Catholic Church because it was centrally located and close to the project. All of the members of the self-help group were in attendance, with the exception of one person who couldn't attend.

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 soap- and detergent-making and improve behaviors such as handwashing.

We also touched on health problems in the community, good and bad hygiene behaviors, the spread and prevention of disease, and sanitation improvements. Finally, we covered natural resource management and the operation and maintenance of the sand dam.

The community was shown how to construct a simple handwashing station called a tippy tap that uses a jerrican so they can construct them to use outside of their latrine at home to maintain proper hygiene and prevent the spread of disease.

Participants learn how to make a tippy tap handwashing station.

"The training will bring a positive impact in our lives since we have had poor hygienic practices in the past. Like for instance, litter has been everywhere in our compounds since we thought that there wasn’t a need for having a rubbish pit. Other sanitation infrastructures like having a utensil rack, [and] squat hole cover have always been ignored until this training came and taught us their importance. This training has really lifted us to a higher level of hygiene. Diseases will reduce at a greater rate. We are grateful," said Lucy, who was quoted earlier.

"[The] poverty level will definitely go low since we now have a skill that can bring us money. Soap and latrine-making skills will really lift our income. We will be making and selling the soap, and that way, [we] have a small income to cater for our basic needs,” concluded Lucy.

Conclusion

This project required a substantial collaboration between our staff, our in-country teams, and the community members. 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 their local field officers to assist them.

Also, we will continue to offer them unmatchable support as a part of our monitoring and maintenance program. We walk with each community, problem-solving together when they face challenges with functionality, seasonality, or water quality. Together, all these components help us strive for 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 Kenya, Uganda, and Sierra Leone, we’re working toward complete coverage. That means 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!

August, 2023: Ithambangwao Community Sand Dam Project Underway!

The lack of adequate water in Ithambangwao Community costs people time, energy, and health every single day. Clean water scarcity contributes to community instability and diminishes individuals’ personal progress.

But thanks to your recent generosity, things will soon improve here. We are now working to install a reliable water point and improve hygiene standards. We look forward to sharing inspiring news in the near future!