Project Status



Project Type:  Protected Spring

Program: Kenyan Spring Protection

Impact: 420 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Jul 2015

Functionality Status:  Functional

Last Checkup: 01/10/2024

Project Features


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Community Profile

This project is being implemented by our partner Western Water And Sanitation Forum, and includes the construction of a spring protection system and latrine sanitation platforms (sanplats).

Background Information

This unprotected spring is located in Imulama village, Shimanyiro sub location, Shisele location, Kakamega South District within Kakamega County. The spring serves over 58 households with a total population of 420 people out of which 205 are Men and 215 are women.

The water is used of drinking, cooking, watering animals and Brick making as an income generating activity. The source is unprotected and as a result people have to step in as they fetch the water, they aslo wash their faces,hands and clothes hence contaminating the water.

Those with animals they also bring them to drink water from the same source thus contaminating it further.

Sanitation is also wanting as many people do not have latrines and this was evident with open defecation around the site. Since the spring is unprotected, the faeces are washed into the water resulting to outbreaks of water borne diseases.

Hygiene practices are also poor amongst the community members with many people not washing their hands after toilet use and many compounds were unclean.Few people had dish racks, clothlines and traditional bathrooms.

The Mobilization Process of the Community

The process of sensitization and mobilization was similar to that of Luseka spring and organization activities targeted both the local leaders and the community members. This begun by sensitization of Kakamega county Commissioner,  Assistant county commissioner of Malava and the County Minister of Environment, water and natural resources. They were briefed on the project intervention in their areas.

This was followed up by sensitization of the local administration in the location, sub location and village level. This was aimed at creating awareness on the projects intervention in the area and also selection of the key resource persons to be trained as PRAs.

The PRA Process

The PRA process was conducted with an objective of equipping participants with relevant skills of appraising the projects in the community and training on good leadership, management, monitoring and evaluation. Representation was drawn from opinion leaders, community members, and village administrators.

Mapping of the community resources was done to assist the community members identify the locally available resources within their community and contribute the same towards the project. This ensures ownership and sustainability of the project. The community calendar was also done in order to identify key events in the community like market days, holidays, public meeting days and markets days. This assisted in planning for trainings and other project activities.

The protection of the spring has already started. Digging of the drainage started on the 3rd week of March and when complete, it will serve over 65 households with a total population of 475 people out of which 220 are Men and 255 are women.

When it comes to sanitation, five community members around the spring have been identified, the pits sunk and Sanitation platforms have already been casted and are undergoing the curing period.  The selection criteria was based on the most needy members of the community. Therefore five vulnerable members of the community that lack toilets will receive these sanitation platforms.This was done In order to prevent contamination of the water sources by faeces resulting from open defecation.

The Implementation of the WASH Trainings 

The Water and Sanitation management committee training was conducted on 23rd  and 24th March, 2015 to the committee members for Tsivaka spring. They were equipped with relevant skills on management and maintenance of their water spring, good governance, funds collection and record keeping.

A total number of 24 people were trained out of which 8 were males and 16 were females.

After training the participants were encouraged to establish structures of management and maintenance of the water points by fencing the water points, making cut off drainages and planting indigenous trees to conserve the water.

The committee was also urged to register with the Ministry of Social services so they can access devolved funds which will enable them engage in income generating activities and improve their livelihoods.

The Community Health workers were also selected around the springs and equipped with skills on health and hygiene promotion in villages in order to reduce incidences of water borne diseases. This was done on 25th and 26th of March, 2015.  A total number of 17 people attended the training of which 5 were males and 12 were females. After trainings they were charged with responsibility of making home visits, public meeting and educate the community on practicing good hygiene practices, family planning and safe water handling in order to prevent water borne diseases.

Once the Sprint Protection was complete, the project was handed over to the community. Although WEWASAFO will continue to monitor the spring and stay in contact with the community over time to monitor the use and the flow of the spring. Thank you for your Support!

 

Project Updates


June, 2020: COVID-19 Prevention Training Update at Imulama Community, Mukhomba Spring

Our teams are working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Join us in our fight against the virus while maintaining access to clean, reliable water.

We are carrying out awareness and prevention trainings on the virus in every community we serve. Very often, our teams are the first (and only) to bring news and information of the virus to rural communities like Imulama, Kenya.

Trainer Olivia demonstrates handwashing

We trained more than 12 people on the symptoms, transmission routes, and prevention of COVID-19. Due to public gathering concerns, we worked with trusted community leaders to gather a select group of community members who would then relay the information learned to the rest of their family and friends.

Tippy tap creation

We covered essential hygiene lessons:

- Demonstrations on how to build a simple handwashing station

- Proper handwashing technique

- The importance of using soap and clean water for handwashing

- Cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces including at the water point.

Handwashing

We covered COVID-19-specific guidance in line with national and international standards:

- Information on the symptoms and transmission routes of COVID-19

- What social distancing is and how to practice it

- How to cough into an elbow

- Alternative ways to greet people without handshakes, fist bumps, etc.

- How to make and properly wear a facemask.

Homemade mask tutorial

During training, we installed a new handwashing station with soap near the community’s water point, along with a sign with reminders of what we covered.

A young boy receives a mask made during training to the applause of the group

Due to the rampant spread of misinformation about COVID-19, we also dedicated time to a question and answer session to help debunk rumors about the disease and provide extra information where needed.

Handwashing

We continue to stay in touch with this community as the pandemic progresses. We want to ensure their water point remains functional and their community stays informed about the virus.

Teaching with the prevention reminders chart

Water access, sanitation, and hygiene are at the crux of disease prevention. You can directly support our work on the frontlines of COVID-19 prevention in all of the communities we serve while maintaining their access to safe, clean, and reliable water.




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Project Type

Springs are water sources that come from deep underground, where the water is filtered through natural layers until it is clean enough to drink. Once the water pushes through the surface of the Earth, however, outside elements like waste and runoff can contaminate the water quickly. We protect spring sources from contamination with a simple waterproof cement structure surrounding layers of clay, stone, and soil. This construction channels the spring’s water through a discharge pipe, making water collection easier, faster, and cleaner. Each spring protection also includes a chlorine dispenser at the waterpoint so community members can be assured that the water they are drinking is entirely safe. Learn more here!


Contributors

The GE Foundation/Craig Mews
40 individual donor(s)