August, 2024: Kisirani Community Water Flowing!

You were a major part of establishing a sand dam in the community of Kisirani. When we install sand dams, we build up sand to raise the water table and naturally filter water. However, it often takes a rainy season or two for the projects to reach their full potential.

We are thrilled to report the sand dam and shallow well are now filled with water and fully functional, providing clean water to the community. Thank you for making clean water a reality for this region. By having consistent access to reliable water, the people of this community’s health, energy, finances, and free time are sure to improve!

May, 2024: Kisirani Community Sand Dam Complete!

Kisirani 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.

Celebrating the completed sand dam!

"This waterpoint will now be close to my home, and I will not be spending a lot of time searching for water. I will also get enough clean water for drinking during the entire drought period, and no longer have to bear with thirst. I will have more time and energy to engage in activities like playing with friends or studying. I am happy that I will barely be going to [the] hospital seeking treatment for stomach aches, diarrhea, or other water-related infections," shared 14-year-old John.

John.

"This waterpoint will help my parents get water to plant vegetables and other crops [on] the farm that could be used in feeding us. My mother will spend less time walking to the river and back home, therefore she will be cooking for us on time and be able to engage in other developmental activities as well. I will have more time to study because the waterpoint is very close to my home. I will be concentrating on my studies and have enough time to rest which will help [me] focus in school," he continued.

"The community members are hardworking and resilient at their work. They came together during the construction period and worked on the project. They supported one another during the difficult days and addressed various challenges with the hope of completing the project on time," shared Field Officer Alex Koech.

Sand Dam Construction Process

The members of the Kaliluni Universal 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.

This project took 840 bags of cement to construct!

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.

Establishing a base.

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.

Building the frame.

Finally, we dismantled the vertical timber beams and left the dam to cure. This dam measures 43 meters long and 4 meters high and took 840 bags of cement to build.

The completed sand dam!

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.

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.

Training on proper handwashing techniques.

We also touched on health problems in the community, good and bad hygiene behaviors, the spread and prevention of disease, and sanitation improvements. We covered natural resource management and the operations and maintenance of the well.

The community members who attended the training were very engaged in the topics. It was easy to see the camaraderie among them. Our field officer is excited about the potential future hygiene changes to come!

A popular topic was the "three-pile sorting" activity. This session involves, each attendee presenting a poster with a behavior on it, and they work together to sort the behaviors into three piles: good, bad, and in-between health practices. One elder in the community presented her poster while dancing, to ensure everyone was paying attention!

Three-pile sorting lesson.

John Kitheka Munuve, the Chairperson of the Water User Committee, shared what impacted him the most during the training session.

"I have learned a lot in the training. Personally, I have understood that hygiene and good health begin with an individual. I have learned that hygiene does not have to be supported by expensive sanitation infrastructures. For instance, [the] construction of a tippy tap was done using locally available materials that all of us can afford; other infrastructures like [a] utensil rack, [and] constructing latrines can be done simply by use of locally available materials. At the end of the day, the aim is to reduce diseases. Water treatment methods that have been explained to us will be the simplest method of reducing waterborne diseases and this will help us reduce the cost spent when seeking treatment," John said.

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!

April, 2024: Kisirani Community Sand Dam Underway!

The lack of adequate water in Kisirani 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!