Kamukithe Community 1A

February, 2025: Kamukithe Community Sand Dam Complete!

Kamukithe Community, Kenya now has access to a new water source thanks to your donation! We constructed a sand dam on the riverbed, which will 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 the drinking water supplied by the dam.

36-year-old Nguli Mwendwa, a local farmer, shared his excitement for the new water source. "This waterpoint is very close to my home, and my family will no longer be walking several kilometers to draw water from the distant scoop holes. We will also be drinking clean water from this implemented project, which will prevent exposure to water-related infections. We will also have enough water even for irrigation of crops despite the rampant long drought periods in our region."

Nguli Mwendwa at the well attached to the sand dam.

"My children will have more time and energy to study because this water point is nearby. They will no longer be spending most of their time and effort walking several kilometers to draw water from scoop holes. They will be attending school every day because incidences of water-related infections will reduce, which often causes them to skip school as they underwent treatment at home. I will be planting vegetables, thanks to present water availability, that my children will be consuming, consequently improving their health. My family will also have enough water to improve hygiene and sanitation at home," he continued.

Sand Dam Construction

The members of Wikwatyo wa Ithengeli 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 to support our artisans with a tremendous amount of physical labor throughout the project.

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

Once the plans were approved, we established a firm base for the sand dam wall. Usually, this requires the community to dig all the way down to the bedrock beneath the river channel. In the absence of good bedrock, we excavate to a depth at which the ground is compact enough to stop seepage.

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

Once the foundation was complete, we built a timber skeleton to hold the structure above ground level. 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 64 meters long and 2 meters high and took 1040 bags of cement.

When the rains come, sand and silt will be carried down the dry riverbed and build up behind the dam wall. This reservoir of sand acts as a giant natural filter, and allows rainwater to seep into the ground and raise the water table. 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!

The sand dam is complete!

Community Education

Our trainer worked with the field staff and community members to determine which topics the community could improve upon.

As we’ve worked with this Self-Help Group in the past, we asked them about the subjects they needed refresher training on.

Twenty-three community members participated in the training, led by facilitator Veronica Matolo, who shared valuable insights about its success.

"The participants demonstrated a high level of commitment and enthusiasm for the hygiene training. They actively engaged in the learning process, appreciated the clear and understandable explanations, and contributed to discussions. Their willingness to adhere to the set training norms and participate in practical activities such as water treatment and tippy tap construction highlights their dedication. The use of visual aids and a welcoming environment further motivated them to understand and reflect on their behaviors."

Tippy tap training.

We trained the group on various skills, including bookkeeping, financial management, project management, group dynamics, and governance. We conducted hygiene and sanitation training to teach skills like soap and detergent-making and improve habits such as handwashing.

We covered health problems in the community, good and bad hygiene habits, and the prevention of disease. Finally, we covered natural resource management as well as the operation and maintenance of the sand dam.

"In the 3 days, I have really learned a lot that will help me transform my life as well as the lives of others. Like for instance, water treatment; the different methods of water treatment that have been taught to us will help in [the] prevention of waterborne diseases, and we promise to improve hygiene and prioritize water treatment to reduce diseases," 36-year-old Lazarus Mwende, chairperson of the Self-Help Group shared.

Lazarus Mwendwa.

"This training will be of great importance in our lives and will really bring us change. We’ve learned that it’s good to eat a healthy meal to prevent malnutrition and boost our immune system. The knowledge of disease prevention and control is also important. Having sanitation infrastructures will help us so much in [the] prevention of diseases. [The] lack of these infrastructures puts our health at risk. Proper food handling and cleanliness of utensils will also help in disease reduction. There's a sense of independence in the skill of [making] soap and latrine disinfectant that has been taught, and it will really help in changing our lives as well as the finances in our homes. It will also help in improving our hygiene since we’ve learned that soap can be used to perform different tasks. Health is wealth," he concluded.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

December, 2024: Exciting Progress in Kamukithe Community!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for the entire Kamukithe Community. Construction has begun on the sand dam project, bringing them one step closer to having clean, reliable water.

But that's not all—during construction, we’re also providing vital health training. These sessions equip the community with essential hygiene practices, ensuring that the benefits of clean water extend to lasting health improvements.

We’re so grateful for your role in making this possible. Stay tuned for more updates—soon, we’ll be celebrating the arrival of safe water in Kamukithe Community!