Rehabilitation Project
This project is a part of our shared program with Western Water and Sanitation Forum. Our team is pleased to directly share the below report (edited for clarity, as needed).
Background Information
This unprotected spring is located in Esitundu village, Mwitumbwi sub-location, Mukhalakhala location, Mwivona Ward of Luanda Sub County within Vihiga County. The spring is serves 35 households with a total population of 260 people out of which 120 are Men and 140 are women.
The water is used of drinking, cooking, cleaning, watering animals and irrigating vegetables during the dry season.
Justification
Since the spring is unprotected its contaminated by surface run off, people stepping into the water as they fetch, animals also stepping in as they drink, and soil erosion.
During the rainy season the spring is inaccessible due to its steepness. The community, especially the children, resort to any water source that is close by and easily accessible.
As a result of this unprotected water, the community members reported that they have had many cases of water borne diseases like typhoid, diarrheal and dysentery. Children are not spared in the out breaks.
“When there is an outbreak our children are the worst hit. In fact one of us lost a child due to dehydration caused by diarrhea. Kindly assist us.” Stated Leah, one of the beneficiaries.
Sanitation in this community is wanting as many people have no good latrines and those who have none usually use the bush. The old and the children do not use these old toilets with fear of falling in. As a result many have resorted to open defecation behind the houses and in the banana plantations. This was evident with fresh faeces seen and a lot of flies within the vicinity. These flies carry germs from faeces to the food in the houses increasing the chain of contamination.
Health and hygiene trainings on water handling, chain of contamination, and water borne disease topics using the CLTS approach will be very key in these communities.
The spring beneficiaries approached WEWASAFO and requested to be considered so as to reduce rates of water borne diseases after seeing the protection of Opwole spring (another project with TWP).
Results of the project:
Spring Protection
Protection of Amboye spring is complete and now in use by the community members.
Before the spring was protected, water samples from the source were taken to the Government laboratory for water quality tests. The results revealed that the water was grossly contaminated with both coli forms and E- coli. But now since the spring is protected and there is proper conservation of the catchment area, the water source is no longer contaminated by surface run off, people stepping into the water as they fetch, or animals stepping in as they drink. The community members were also trained on other methods of water treatment before consumption like boiling. They are now confident that they are drawing clean and safe water. Cases of water borne diseases like typhoid, diarrheal and dysentery, which were initially reported by the community members, are expected to greatly reduce.
Household sanitation platforms
Sanitation platforms (cement slabs for latrine construction) for beneficiaries around the spring have been cast, installed, and are now in use by the community members. Those who benefitted from the sanitation platforms are happy to use the facilities. The old and the children now use the new latrines without fear of falling in. Many people no longer resort to the cat style method of disposal behind the houses and in the banana plantations. When WEWASAFO wash team went back for follow up on the wash facilities, evidence of fresh faeces was not seen.
Health and hygiene trainings on good hygiene practices, water handling, chain of contamination, and water borne disease transmission using the CLTS (Community Lead Total Sanitation) approach was very key in this community.
