Elwakana Community

September, 2023: Elwakana Community Spring Protection Complete!

Elwakana Community now has access to clean water! Thanks to your donation, we transformed their spring into a flowing source of naturally filtered water. We also installed a chlorine dispenser to provide added protection and trained the community on improved sanitation and hygiene practices. Together, these components will unlock the opportunity for community members to live better, healthier lives.

"Having access to reliable water will significantly improve our health and hygiene. We can now easily practice proper handwashing, which is crucial for preventing the spread of diseases. We can also maintain better personal hygiene, especially when it comes to cooking, cleaning, and sanitation, [and I] am saying this as a mother. Sometimes I used to fear for the health of my ten and 12-year-old [children] because of the water we used to drink," said 35-year-old farmer Christine Atinga.

Christine collecting water.

Christine continued, "The availability of clean water opens up possibilities for various income-generating activities ideas I had. Some community members have small businesses, such as hotel food kiosks at the market near the primary school. I can supply them with clean water at a fee to use for cooking and offering their customers after meals."

Children were just as excited as adults about the new water point.

"Things have become easier. I have a medical condition on my leg. Going to get water was so much [more] difficult [for me]. Sometimes, when it became difficult, I had to stay thirsty [and] wait until one of my family members was back from the farm, but now I can even go and get water during the night," said 13-year-old Oliver W.

Oliver at the spring.

"I know drinking clean water improves health. I will drink as much water as possible and be healthy," concluded Oliver.

Preparing for Spring Protection

Community members worked together to source and carry all locally available construction materials to the spring. These included bricks, sand, stones, and fencing poles. Some people also chiseled away at large rocks to break them into gravel. Because people have to carry most items by hand, the material-collection process can take anywhere from a few weeks to months.

Community members collecting grass to transplant.

When the community was ready, we sent a truck to deliver the remaining construction materials, including cement, plastic tarps, and hardware. Then, our construction artisan and field officers deployed to the spring to begin work. Individual households provided meals throughout each day to sustain the work team.

From Open Source to Protected Spring: A Step-by-Step Process

First, we cleared and excavated the spring area. Next, we dug a drainage channel below the spring and several runoff diversion channels above and around the spring. These help to divert surface contaminants away.

To ensure community members could still access water throughout the construction process, we also dug temporary channels around the construction site from the spring's eye. This allowed water to flow without disrupting community members' tasks or the construction work. Excavation created space for setting the spring's foundation, made of thick plastic, wire mesh, concrete, and waterproof cement.

After establishing the base, we started brickwork to build the headwall, wing walls, and stairs. Once the walls had grown tall enough, we began one of the most crucial steps: setting the discharge pipe. The discharge pipe needs to be positioned low enough in the headwall so the water level never rises above the spring's eye, yet high enough to allow room for the average jerrycan (a 20-liter container) to sit beneath the pipe without making contact, which prevents cross-contamination.

Beginning brickwork.

If we place the discharge pipe too high above the spring's eye, back pressure could force water to emerge elsewhere. Too low, and community members would not be able to access the water easily. We embedded the pipe using clay (or mortar when the clay is in short supply) and placed it at an incline to ensure water flows in the right direction.

In coordination with brickwork, we pitched stones on both sides of the spring's drainage channel. We then cemented and plastered each stone, forming the rub walls. These walls discourage people and animals from standing in that area, which could cause soil erosion and a clogged drainage area.

We then cemented and plastered both sides of the headwall and wing walls. These finishing layers reinforce the brickwork and prevent water in the reservoir from seeping through the walls. In turn, enough pressure builds in the reservoir box to push water out through the discharge pipe.

As the headwall and wing walls cured, we cemented and plastered the stairs and installed four tiles beneath the discharge pipe. The tiles protect the concrete from the falling water's erosive force while beautifying the spring and facilitating easy cleaning of the spring floor.

The final stage of construction is backfilling the reservoir box behind the discharge pipe. We cleared the collection box of any debris that may have fallen during construction. Then, we redirected the temporary diversion channels back into the reservoir box, channeling water into this area for the first time. We close all other exits to force water through only the discharge pipe.

We filled the reservoir area with the large, clean stones community members had gathered, arranging them in layers like a well-fitting puzzle. We covered the rocks with thick plastic to minimize potential contamination sources, then piled enough dirt on top to compensate for future settling.

Community members transplanted grass onto the backfilled soil to help prevent erosion. The collection area was fenced to discourage any person or animal from walking on it. Compaction can lead to disturbances in the backfill layers and potentially compromise water quality.

The construction process took about two weeks of work and patience to allow the cement and plaster to finish curing. As soon as the spring was ready, people got the okay from their local field officers to fetch water.

We officially handed over the spring to mark the community's ownership of the water point. Happiness, thanksgiving, and appreciation were the order of the day, flowing in all directions.

The dedication of the new water point was an important event to mark its significance and to involve the community in celebrating the milestone. Furthermore, the dedication served as a platform to emphasize the importance of responsible water usage, hygiene practices, and the community's role in the long-term sustainability of the water point.

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we found their preferred date for training while considering other community calendar events, such as the agricultural season and social events. We requested a representative group of community members to attend training and relay the information learned to the rest of their families and friends.

When the day arrived, facilitators David, Joyce, Protus, Faith, Joy, Mercy, and four interns deployed to the site to lead the event. 14 people attended the training, including 9 women and 6 men. We held the training outside at one of the community member's homesteads.

We covered several topics, including community participation in the project; leadership and governance; personal, dental, and environmental hygiene; water handling and treatment; spring maintenance; the importance of primary health care and disease prevention; family planning; soapmaking; how to make and use handwashing stations; and the ten steps of handwashing.

During the leadership and governance session, we held an election for the newly formed water user committee leaders, who will oversee the maintenance of the spring. We also brainstormed income-generating activities. Community members can now start a group savings account for any future minor repairs to the spring and a cooperative lending group, enabling them to develop small businesses.

"The topic of water and sanitation [was] memorable. The training program focused on educating participants about the significance of clean water, the importance of proper water storage and treatment, and the potential health risks associated with [using]  contaminated water sources. During the session, it was noted [the] majority of the community members are usually attacked by waterborne diseases, especially during the rainy season," shared field officer David Muthama.

Isabella taking water home from the spring.

"This training has sparked a sense of responsibility and motivation within me. Having been picked as the organizing secretary, I feel a deep commitment to actively contribute to the protection of the spring and the overall well-being of our community. I now understand the importance of being a role model and leading by example. I have also observed how you work as a team, and I have borrowed a lot in teamwork," shared 40-year-old farmer Isabella Auma.

Conclusion

This project required a substantial collaboration between our staff, our in-country teams, and the community members. When an issue arises concerning the spring, the water user committee is equipped with the necessary skills to rectify the problem and ensure the water point works appropriately and there is guaranteed public access in the future. However, if the issue is beyond their capabilities, they can contact their local field officers to assist them.

Also, we will continue to offer them unmatchable support as a part of our monitoring and maintenance program. We walk with each community, problem-solving together when they face challenges with functionality, seasonality, or water quality. Together, all these components help us strive for enduring access to reliable, clean, and safe water for this community.

With your contribution, one more piece has been added to a large puzzle of water projects. In Kenya, Uganda, and Sierra Leone, we're working toward complete coverage. That means reliable, maintained water sources within a 30-minute round trip for each community, household, school, and health center. With this in mind, search through our upcoming projects to see which community you can help next!

Thank you for making all of this possible!

July, 2023: Elwakana Community Spring Protection Underway!

The lack of adequate water in Elwakana Community costs people time, energy, and health every single day. Clean water scarcity contributes to community instability and diminishes individuals’ personal progress.

But thanks to your recent generosity, things will soon improve here. We are now working to install a reliable water point and improve hygiene standards. We look forward to sharing inspiring news in the near future!