Rehabilitation Project
This project is being implemented by our partner Western Water And Sanitation Forum, and includes the construction of a spring protection system. The report below comes directly from them:
Project: Lihanda spring
This spring is located in Mwiyala Village of Mahiakalo Sub location, Bukhungu Location, Lurambi Division of Lurambi Constituency within Kakamega County.
The spring is serving 200 households. The water is used for domestic purposes and watering of animals.
A small portion of the community were able to mobilize local available materials on time, however, due to the high poverty rate in this community the majority of families were not able to contribute. Despite this, the project continued as some members contributed for others and for families that could not assist with material contributions, contributed with donating time or labor to the project. WEWASAFO staff vetted the materials and certified the quality and quantity. This gesture of ownership was very encouraging to an extent that women and the youth availed themselves to support construction works on sight.
WEWAS started construction works on this spring on Monday 22nd September 2014. The community was very excited with the project simply because it came at the right time. So far, the following are the activities we have undertaken;
1. Trainings
As construction work was going on, the community is being trained on Water and Sanitation Management and Community Health workers training. These trainings will ensure ownership and sustainability of the project.
Water and Sanitation Management committee training (WSMC)
The spring management committee members were equipped with relevant skills of operation and maintenance of water points that included relevant management and leadership skills and effective monitoring and supervision of the water catchment area. This brought together a total of 21 members from the community.
The WSMC members were also equipped with skills of collection of funds and proper record keeping for operation and maintenance of the water facilities after handing over has been done.
The training was attended by a total number of 21 participants out of which 7 were male and 14 were female.
2. Community Health workers training (CHWs)
We also managed to train CHWs from the community with an intention of having community members who would champion promotion of good health and hygiene practices around Lihanda spring. They were equipped with relevant skills on health and hygiene promotion in order to reduce incidences of diarrhoeal diseases.
A total number of 20 people attended out of which 6 were males and 14 were females.
After trainings they were charged with responsibility of making home visits and public baraza to educate the community on prevention of water borne diseases through proper water handling and maintaining good hygiene.
3. Sanitation
The community was able to identify Five people that benefited from the sanitation platforms around Lihanda spring. These are:
- Dominic Liyayi (1 male and 7 females in household)
- Nancy Ochi (4 males and 3 femailes in household)
- Lawi Lihanda (4 males and 3 females in household)
- Margret Mmbone (2 males and 1 female in household)
- Patrick Museveni (5 males and 4 females in household)
Challenges faced:
1. Language barrier; Most of the community members were illiterate and understanding some of the concepts of the trainings was abit challenging hence the trainers resorted to using the local language and Kiswahili for better understanding.
2. Time management; the community members did not keep time in attending the training even after setting rules instead reporting very late even up to 11.00pm.
3. Poor attendance; the total number of the people was low due to unwillingness to learn, because most of them expected allowances while attending the training. They were also only interested in the spring protection and not the trainings.
4. Failure to contribute the local materials; this was due to high poverty levels in the area. A few members who were able to contribute materials did so for the benefit of the project that was eventually completed successfully.
Current Status
The spring is now complete and community already making good use of it. We hope the photos capture the joy and spirit of the people in the community. Thank you to the Water Project!!!
