Project Status



Project Type:  Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 350 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Dec 2019

Functionality Status:  Functional

Last Checkup: 02/10/2024

Project Features


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An average day in this part of Shisere Community begins early in the morning at 6 when women and children wake up to do household chores. After the children are off to school, the parents head to the mining site to begin their assigned roles. The gold mining will take them till 4pm when they collect their dues and take them to buy dinner food from the market.

The gold mining business in Shisere has been an opportunity many other communities have wished to have. Working at the mining site together has boosted unity within the community.

But the community is also unified over their struggle to get clean water. They currently get water from Richard Okanga Spring, which is open to contamination. Community members admitted that they've gotten used to the headaches and stomachaches that occur after drinking dirty water.

It's now just part of life.

"Protection of our spring is a dream to achieve. We have for decades wished to get the same assistance but it has always been in vain. Our income is not that much. We cannot be involved in 100% protection of the spring," said Mrs. Josephine Okanga.

What we can do:

"I have lived long enough in this period and because of this, I can categorically say that we people in this community are lacking behind in promoting good hygiene and sanitation. All this has been pegged on not accessing clean and safe water. These circumstances have caused more than harm to health status and developments in our community," said Mr. Lijodi.

Training

During our survey, there was clear evidence of a suffering community. Many do not have proper information about good hygiene and sanitation standards. Most homes lack good latrines, compost pits, clotheslines, and many other import facilities and tools.

Community members will attend hygiene and sanitation training for at least two days. This training will ensure participants have the knowledge they need about healthy practices and their importance. The facilitator plans to use PHAST (Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation), CLTS (Community-Led Total Sanitation), ABCD (Asset-Based Community Development), group discussions, handouts, and demonstrations at the spring. One of the most important topics we plan to cover is the handling, storage, and treatment of water. Having a clean water source will be extremely helpful, but it is useless if water gets contaminated by the time it’s consumed. Handwashing will also be a big topic.

Training will also result in the formation of a committee that will oversee operations and maintenance at the spring. They will enforce proper behavior around the spring and delegate tasks that will help preserve the site, such as building a fence and digging proper drainage. The fence will keep out destructive animals, and the drainage will keep the area’s mosquito population at a minimum.

Sanitation Platforms

On the final day of training, participants will select five families that should benefit from new concrete latrine floors.

Training will also inform the community and selected families on what they need to contribute to make this project a success. They must mobilize locally available materials, such as bricks, clean sand, hardcore, and ballast. The five families chosen for sanitation platforms must prepare by sinking a pit for the sanitation platforms to be placed over. All community members must work together to make sure that accommodations and food are always provided for the work teams.

Spring Protection

Protecting the spring will ensure that the water is safe, adequate and secure. Construction will keep surface runoff and other contaminants out of the water. With the community’s high involvement in the process, there should be a good sense of responsibility and ownership for the new clean water source.

Fetching water is predominantly a female role, done by both women and young girls. Protecting the spring and offering training and support will, therefore, help empower the female members of the community by giving them more time and efforts to engage and invest in income-generating activities.

Project Updates


January, 2021: Through Their Eyes: COVID-19 Chronicles with Christine Magotsi

This post is part of a new series by The Water Project meant to highlight the perspectives and experiences of the people we serve and how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting them. We invite you to read more of their stories here.

Our team recently visited Shisere to conduct a COVID-19 prevention training (read more about it below!) and monitor their water point, Richard Okanga Spring. Shortly after, we returned to check in on the community, offer a COVID-19 refresher training, and ask how the pandemic is affecting their lives.

It was during this most recent visit that Christine Magotsi, who works as the Community Administrator, shared her story of how the coronavirus is impacting her life and her community.

Christine Magotsi

Field Officer Jacky Chelagat met Christine outside her home to conduct the interview. Both Jacky and Christine observed physical distancing and other precautions throughout the visit to ensure their health and safety. The following is Christine's story, in her own words.


What is one thing that has changed in your community since the completion of the water project?

"Accessing clean water is so easy; no more outbreaks of waterborne diseases or diarrhea; and fetching water is so easy and takes a very short time. "

How has having a clean water point helped you through the pandemic so far?

"Sufficient flow of clean water has boosted hygiene in our homes. And, most importantly, it has helped members to frequently wash their hands as a way of preventing themselves from contracting COVID-19. "

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Kenya, has fetching water changed for you because of restrictions, new rules, or your concerns about the virus?

"Fetching water from this spring has greatly changed. Community members ensure they have masks on, there is no congestion at the spring, and they use the minimal time to fetch water and go back home. "

Christine with her mask on

How has COVID-19 impacted your family?

"The closure of schools has made monitoring children very difficult. It has also stopped my meetings with community members following the government restrictions on gatherings. Generally, it has affected daily activities. "

What other challenges are you experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

"Social gatherings have been restricted. We no longer attend social functions as we used to. The number of people attending any function has been regulated and this has made life boring."

Christine outside her home with her father, next to their handwashing station

What hygiene and sanitation steps have you and your community taken to stop the spread of the virus?

"Being a leader, I still emphasize the need to follow the well-laid rules and regulations by the government. Community members are still keen on observing social distance, wearing masks, and washing hands."

Like most governments around the world, the Kenyan government continues to set and adjust restrictions both nationally and regionally to help control the spread of the virus.

What restriction were you most excited to see lifted already?

"Changing curfew hours was a relief to my community members as a majority are business people and they sell their products till late."

Christine washes her hands with soap and water from Richard Okanga Spring.

What restriction are you still looking forward to being lifted?

"Schools being opened and our children resuming their lessons immediately.
These children are the future leaders and they need proper education and empowerment to excel."

Since we spoke with Christine, the Kenyan government fully reopened all school levels to in-person learning. Students' first day back was January 4, 2021.

What has been the most valuable part of the COVID-19 sensitization training you received from our team?

"Training was helpful as it led to positive changes in attitude. The community members were able to put into practice all the measures and regulations highlighted. All homes have washing points for sufficient handwashing, mask themselves whenever they are going to gatherings, observe the social distance, and retreat from their usual way of shaking hands as a form of greeting. "




June, 2020: COVID-19 Prevention Training Update at Shisere Community, Richard Okanga 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.

Handing out COVID-19 informational pamphlets

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 Shisere, Kenya.

We trained more than 55 people on the symptoms, transmission routes, and prevention of COVID-19. Social distancing was mandatory to attend. Before there were any cases in the area, 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.

Reviewing prevention reminders chart

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.

A community member washes her hands

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.

Handwashing

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.

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.

Facilitators make masks for participants through their demonstration

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.

Demonstrating how to properly put on and wear a mask

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.




December, 2019: Shisere Community, Richard Okanga Spring Project Complete!

Shisere Community now has access to clean water! Richard Okanga Spring has been transformed into a flowing source of water thanks to your donation. We protected the spring, provided 5 sanitation platforms to different households in the community, and we trained the community on improved sanitation and hygiene practices.

Community member celebrating the newly completed spring

Spring Protection

Our main contact for this community was the local Member of the County Assembly Gladys Mukongolo. She helped mobilize her community to provide all locally available construction materials, including bricks, wheelbarrows of clean sand, stones, and fencing poles. Accommodations and meals were provided for the artisan, too.

The Process

Women and men lent their strength to the artisan to help him with manual labor. The spring area was excavated to create space for setting the foundation of thick plastic tarp, wire mesh, and concrete.

Artisans work together to lay the brickwork over the spring's concrete foundation

After the base had been set, both wing walls and the headwall were set in place using brickwork. The discharge pipe was fixed low in place through the headwall to direct the water from the reservoir to the drawing area.

Artisan measures the pipe setting

As the wing walls and headwall were curing, the stairs were set and ceramic tiles were fixed directly below the discharge pipe. This protects the concrete from the erosive force of the falling water and beautifies the spring. The process of plastering the headwall and wing walls on both sides reinforces the brickwork and prevents water from the reservoir from seeping through the walls and allows pressure to build in the collection box to push water up through the discharge pipe.

Artisans add cement over the stairs and walls

The source area was filled up with clean stones and sand and covered with a thick plastic tarp to prevent potential sources of contamination. It took about 2 weeks of patience for the concrete to dry. As soon as it was ready, people got the okay from our field officers to begin fetching clean water. We met them there to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Completed spring

As the entire community gathered at the spring, they were addressed by Ms. Mukongolo who emphasized the maintenance of the spring and the importance of a collective approach in ensuring that the project is well taken care of. Officers from our team then thanked the community members for their cooperation and further urged the community to take good care of the spring.

Community membesr celebrate the newly completed spring

"We are so happy for we shall now get clean water from our spring," said farmer Lilian Inziani.

"Getting water from the spring is now easier and safer. We shall do our best to ensure that the spring is well maintained so that it can serve our great-great-grandchildren."

Child enjoys handwashing at the spring

Sanitation Platforms

All 5 sanitation platforms have been installed. These 5 families are happy about this milestone of having a private latrine of their own and are optimistic that people will no longer leave waste outdoors. We are continuing to encourage families to finish building walls and roofs over their new latrine floors.

Proud new owners of a sanitation platform

New Knowledge

As the construction process was underway, we went from one homestead to another to spread the word of the upcoming training, scheduled with the help of Mr. Richard Okanga, the landowner of the farm where the spring is located. He gave us the community’s preferred date for training, for he was very much aware of the community calendar when it comes to planting season and other big events.

Some 38 women, children, and men attended training, which was a good turnout. The training was organized at a time when people were busy harvesting maize, so this group's participation was encouraging to see. We met in Mr. Okanga's home since it is considered a central point of the community for many. Participants young and old were actively engaged the whole day and asked many good questions.

Site management training session at the spring led by Field Officer Jacklyne Chelagat, in center

We covered several topics including leadership and governance; operation and maintenance of the spring; healthcare; family planning; immunizations; and the prevention and spread of disease. We also covered water treatment methods, personal care like handwashing, environmental hygiene, hygiene promotion, and many other things. Toothbrushing, in particular, was a big hit during the dental hygiene session.

Demonstrating proper amount of toothpaste during dental hygiene session

"Our community has for a long lagged behind in our hygiene and health matters. Some people would not bathe frequently or brush their teeth. Today we are glad and we pray that all of us will try to practice and put into action all that we have learned today," said Mr. Okanga.

Thank you for making all of this possible!




October, 2019: Shisere Community, Richard Okanga Spring Project Underway!

Dirty water from Richard Okanga Spring is making people in Shisere Community sick. Thanks to your generosity, we’re working to install a clean water point and much more.

Get to know this community through the narrative and pictures we’ve posted, and read about this water, sanitation and hygiene project. We look forward to reaching out with news of success!




Project Videos


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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!


Giving Update: Shisere Community, Richard Okanga Spring

February, 2021

A year ago, your generous donation helped Shisere Community in Kenya access clean water – creating a life-changing moment for Ketride. Thank you!

Keeping The Water Promise

There's an incredible community of monthly donors who have come alongside you in supporting clean water in Shisere Community 2.

This giving community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help Shisere Community 2 maintain access to safe, reliable water. Together, they keep The Water Promise.

We’re confident you'll love joining this world-changing group committed to sustainability!

"Children could not access water from the unprotected spring. It was chaotic and difficult for us to get water."

"It is now so easy to access water from the spring faster and with a lot of ease."

"I am now able to get water easily and save time."


Navigating through intense dry spells, performing preventative maintenance, conducting quality repairs when needed and continuing to assist community leaders to manage water points are all normal parts of keeping projects sustainable. The Water Promise community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help Shisere Community 2 maintain access to safe, reliable water.

We’d love for you to join this world-changing group committed to sustainability.

The most impactful way to continue your support of Shisere Community 2 – and hundreds of other places just like this – is by joining our community of monthly givers.

Your monthly giving will help provide clean water, every month... keeping The Water Promise.


Contributors

Imago Dei Community