Rehabilitation Project
The community of Kamunyu has a large population of 8,600 people who primarily rely on agriculture to sustain themselves. Understandably, water is critical for agricultural ventures to succeed. However, the people living in Kamunyu face a daily water crisis that makes success in their endeavors difficult.
Community members have two available water sources: open, contaminated scoop holes dug into dry river beds or an unprotected dug well. They are not ideal solutions since both sources provide unsafe water and are hours away, but without an alternative, they have no other option.
Collecting water from a scoop hole.
"The community’s reliance on a distant water source means people, often women and children, must travel long distances on foot. These long walks, combined with difficult terrain and high temperatures, can lead to physical exhaustion or dehydration, increasing the risk of injuries or even heatstroke," shared Field Officer Alex Koech.
"The difficulty of accessing water from distant or challenging locations often means that individuals, particularly women and children, spend a disproportionate amount of time and energy fetching water. This labor could otherwise be directed towards education, economic activities, or rest, impacting overall community productivity and personal well-being. The strain of dealing with inadequate water supplies can lower the overall quality of life. Families might struggle with basic hygiene, affecting not just [their] health but also overall comfort and dignity. Poor water access can also contribute to a general sense of insecurity and stress within the community," continued Alex.
The unprotected dug well.
50-year-old farmer Patrick Nzuki is familiar with the daily struggle.
"Water is very crucial to me because I need water to drink, cook, and even for my cattle and goats. Being a farmer, I also need water for my crops, which helps me earn an income," said Mr. Nzuki.
"We live in a very dry area and experience very little rainfall; that is why our water sources quickly dry up. Walking to the scoop hole under the burning sun involves steep hills and rocky paths, which are risky because one can hurt himself," Mr. Nzuki continued.
Patrick Nzuki.
Field Officer Alex Koech described how installing a sand dam in this community would help resolve Mr. Nzuki's water crisis.
"A sand dam captures and stores rainwater, allowing it to percolate through sand and recharge groundwater. This provides a more reliable and sustainable water source, reducing the distance and effort required to fetch water. By storing water in sand, sand dams naturally filter out contaminants, improving the quality of the water compared to open, surface [water] sources."
Solving the water crisis in this community will require a multifaceted system that will work together to create a sustainable water source that will serve this community for years to come.
Steps Toward a Solution
Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. Together, they decided to construct a sand dam and dug well.
Sand Dam
Sand dams are sought-after, climate-smart, and lasting water solutions providing hope and resilience to communities in arid Southeastern Kenya. Think of them like giant sandboxes constructed in seasonal rivers that would typically quickly dry up after the rainy season. Instead of holding water like traditional dams, they collect sand and silt.
When infrequent rains do come, these dams catch a percentage of the river's flow, letting most of the water continue downstream to other communities. But here's the magic: the sand they collect acts like a natural filter, holding onto water long after the river's gone dry. Then, wells are constructed nearby, creating a reliable water source even during the driest times.
And the benefits don't stop there! In communities impacted by climate change, sand dams replenish groundwater and prevent soil erosion. Even during severe droughts, the consistent water supply from these sand dams allows farmers to thrive, giving way for enough food not only for their families but also to sell in local markets.
The most remarkable aspect of sand dams is how they involve the local community every step of the way, giving them a sense of ownership and pride in solving their own water shortage and managing their own water resources.
This sand dam will be connected to a dug well to make the water more accessible.
Community Education & Ownership
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each community's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point. Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for everyone in the community. Encouraged and supported by the guidance of our team, a water user committee representative of the community's diverse members assumes responsibility for maintaining the water point, often gathering fees to ensure its upkeep.
