The Water Project’s WaSH program in Western Kenya aims to access, protect, filter, and purify the abundant waters that are available through two seasonal rains, prevalent springs, high water tables, and deep aquifers in the region. Explore water projects in communities, schools, and churches in Western Kenya such as protected springs, rainwater catchment systems, and water wells. This program emphasizes the power of strategic geographical saturation of projects, effective hygiene and sanitation training, and relational networking between NGOs, health workers, local politicians, and educators.
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!
Rehabilitation Project
Rehabilitation is not just fixing a pump - it’s total community re-engagement.
There’s only one thing we can think of that might be worse than not having safe water: having safe water, and then losing it because a project fell into disrepair.
Rehabilitation often proves to be a big challenge, as many wells have sit idle for years and there is typically little information about the specifics of the well. A borehole and dug well rehabilitation involves quite a bit of discovery. First, our teams work to discover as much as they can about the initial project. What materials were used? Was the borehole/hand-dug well properly constructed? Many of these questions can only be answered by diving in, and doing “the work” which makes up a rehabilitation.
Once our teams have found the problem, they find the solution. Then, they reconstruct the well and install a hand pump.
Engagement and training with communities takes into account rehabilitation was needed and alters the program to suit the needs of the community. After all - engaging with this community in the same way which led to the initial, failed project will not bring new results. Our teams work to understand the social and support reasons leading to initial failure, and make those areas a focus of our ongoing engagement with communities.
Local Leadership
Water projects don’t last long without the help of local leaders. They’re the ones who explain the situation on the ground to us (and our donors!) while also outlining our goals and intentions for the community members.
The Water Project identifies, supports, and partners with local organizations that share our vision of reliable, verifiable, and clean water. Together, we build lasting local solutions and undertake ongoing monitoring and resolution to ensure our solutions are still working years into the future.
Community Engagement
We engage the communities we work with at every step of a water project.
These interactions are rooted in relationship-building. We involve the community in implementation, set expectations for water point management, prepare community members for ongoing costs, and more. All of this happens before a water project is installed.
The people receiving a water project get a leading seat at the table. Every water project we implement requires negotiations with several interested parties. During this step and every other, we continuously try to embody our favorite ideals: reliability, relationship, and trust.
Sanitation Platform (SanPlat)
Easily made latrine slabs encourage household bathroom construction.
Proper hygiene and sanitation facilities go hand-in-hand with access to clean, reliable water.
A SanPlat is most literally the slab one would squat over when utilizing the bathroom.
The community chooses 5 households to receive SanPlats made on site under our training and guidance. The goal: seeing the need for safe latrines throughout their community, each household will be inspired to build their own.
Hygiene and Sanitation Training
For many communities, water is just the beginning. Living without water deprioritizes things that deplete water rations, like bathing, cleaning, and even handwashing. Also, in some cases, community members who couldn’t afford to go to school never learned topics usually covered in health classes. A steady water supply on its own won’t solve these issues, which is why we train the people in every community, school, and health center we provide with a water project.
Although we tailor the subjects we cover in each training to each region and community, there are some staples we always touch on: water handling and storage; personal and environmental hygiene; disease transmission; how to form and maintain a water user committee; and the operation/maintenance of the community’s new water project.
With each training, our goal is to empower communities to take back their personal health so growth and development can begin.
Monitoring and Resolution
Sub-Saharan Africa is littered with broken and abandoned wells installed by well-meaning people.
We love celebrating when a project is complete and a community has access to clean, safe water. However, reliability is the true measure of our impact.
Water can only transform lives if it’s always there. Water-fetchers need to know that when they visit one of our water points, there will always be water. Sometimes, it only takes one sip of dirty water to make someone sick, even if they’d been drinking clean water for months beforehand.
This is why we measure our water projects’ downtime in hours, not days or weeks. Each hour is critical to someone’s life, and each hour someone has to wait for clean water is another opportunity to go back to the rivers, swamps, and scoop holes they resorted to before our water project was installed. Our past water projects are just as important as what we tackle in the future.
The Water Project monitors all of our water projects to make sure water service continues. To learn more about how you can help with ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and resolution, read about The Water Promise: a group of amazing, world-changing monthly donors who understand the power of keeping water flowing long after the installation is done.
Project Timeline FAQ
Project Status
We’re working hard to make sure your gifts result in a lasting water project for the community it serves. Our engagement with a community begins many months before construction and lasts years after construction. The timeline here is focused on the physical construction of the water project. There is also training and engagement work that has already started.
Water project construction in the developing world is hard work. A lot of things can and do cause delays - which are normal. We attempt to make our best judgment of when construction will be complete, but the circumstances surrounding actual "in the field" conditions are far from our control.
Weather, supply availability, government paperwork, and progress of community involvement are just a few of the variables that can delay (and sometimes speed up) a project's completion.
We will always tell you if anything changes. And, if you get a notice like this – it’s actually further proof your gifts are being carefully used towards a water project that lasts.
Click icons to learn about each feature.
Report Submitted by Jacklyne Chelagat, Impact Communication Officer
Jacklyne loves seeing lives transformed by clean water. She is currently pursuing her degree in development studies and looks forward to how that will add even more value to her relationships with communities.
Jacklyne has been a Impact Communication Officer since 2014, with WeWaSaFo, The Water Project's trusted partner in our Western Kenya WaSH Program.
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
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
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
Project Photos
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.
Rehabilitation Project
