Furave Community

September, 2024: Furave Community Spring Protection Complete!

Your contribution has made access to clean water for the Furave Community possible!

We transformed their spring into a flowing source of naturally filtered water. A chlorine dispenser was installed to provide added protection, and we trained the community on improved sanitation and hygiene practices. Together, these components will unlock the opportunity for community members to thrive!

A young community member celebrating clean water access!

50-year-old Sarah Kenyatta shared the impact of the new waterpoint. "Access to water will open an opportunity for me to start an income-generating activity like poultry farming and [the] growing of kale. My hopes and future dreams [are] to be able to supply my community with [a] variety of kale and chicks for sale and earn a living from it."

Sarah Kenyatta (left) drinking safe water!

"I will be able to concentrate on my desire to improve my farming skills. I like farming, and with [a] new water source, which is perfectly constructed and discharges water at high speed, [I] am assured of clean, safe water. [This] gives me the confidence that I will do other chores and go to the spring and come home with safe, clean water," she continued.

Children were just as excited as adults about clean water access!

Daniel carries clean water collected from the newly protected spring!

"Reliable water will enable me to spend more time at school studying, with an aim of improving my academic performance. With this fact, I will have enough time to do my extra schoolwork given by my teacher after the normal lessons without straining," shared Daniel, 8.

Preparing for Spring Protection

Community members worked together to source all locally available construction materials for the spring. These included bricks, sand, stones, and fencing poles. Because people have to carry most items by hand, the material-collection process can take anywhere from a few weeks to months.

When the community was ready, we delivered the remaining construction materials, including cement, plastic tarps, and hardware. Then, our construction artisan and field officers deployed to the spring to begin work.

Protecting the Protecting the Spring: A Step-by-Step Process

First, we excavated the spring area. This includes digging a drainage channel below the spring and several runoff diversion channels above and around the spring to help divert surface contaminants away.

Excavating the spring.

To ensure community members could still access water throughout the construction process, we also dug temporary channels around the construction site to allow water to continue to flow. Excavation created space for setting the spring's foundation.

Setting the foundation.

After establishing the base, made of thick plastic, wire, concrete and waterproof cement, we started brickwork to build the spring walls and stairs.

Starting to build the walls.

Once the walls were tall enough, we began one of the most crucial steps: setting the discharge pipe. The discharge pipe needs to be positioned low enough so the water level never rises above the spring's eye yet high enough to allow room for the average collection container (20 liters) to sit beneath the pipe without making contact to prevent cross-contamination.

If we place the pipe too high, back pressure could force water to emerge elsewhere. Too low, and community members would not be able to access the water easily.

Setting the discharge pipe.

In coordination with the walls and stairs, we cemented stones on both sides of the spring's drainage channel. These stones discourage people and animals from standing in that area, which could cause soil erosion and a clogged drainage area.

Cementing stones to the sides of the spring to prevent spring damage.

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

Plastering the walls to reinforce them.

As the walls cured, we finished the stairs and installed tiles beneath the discharge pipe. The tiles protect the concrete from the falling water's erosive force.

Placing tiles beneath the collection pipes to prevent erosion.

We redirected the temporary diversion channels back into the reservoir box and closed all other exits to force water through only the discharge pipe. We filled the reservoir area with the large, clean stones arranging them in layers like a well-fitting puzzle. We covered the rocks with thick plastic and piled enough dirt on top to compensate for future settling.

Backfilling the reservoir.

Community members transplanted grass to help prevent erosion, and the collection area was fenced. The fence prevents people or animals from walking in the area above the spring, as compaction of this area can potentially compromise water quality.

Community members plant grass behind the spring to prevent erosion.

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

The spring is complete!

We officially gave ownership of the waterpoint to the Furave Community. Happiness and thanksgiving flowed in all directions!

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we found their preferred date for training. When the day arrived, facilitator
Wilson Kipchoge deployed to the site to lead the event. Sixteen people attended the training, including ten women and six men.

A lesson in soapmaking.

We discussed personal, oral, and environmental hygiene, emphasizing proper water handling, soap-making, and the ten steps of handwashing. We also highlighted the importance of primary health care and covered the operation and maintenance of the water point, as well as leadership and governance. By the end of the training, each participant had a clear understanding of their role in maintaining clean water and promoting good health within their community.

Facilitator Wilson Kipchoge teaches oral hygiene.

We held an election for the newly formed water user committee who will oversee the maintenance of the spring. We brainstormed income-generating activities and encouraged them to start a group savings account for future minor repairs to the spring.

The diligence of the Furave Community was apparent during the training. "Participants showed their commitment and eagerness for the hygiene training by coming in large numbers, ready to learn. This was evident during the training session, whereby they raised pertinent issues relating to general hygiene, like best practices for preventing diseases. As a response to their questions, they were advised to uphold high standards of hygiene by adhering to the basic principles such as proper handwashing with soap and maintaining personal and environmental hygiene," shared Wilson.

Truphosa was an eager participant in the training.

67-year-old Truphosa Munjalu, a farmer, shared her experience, "This training has challenged my thoughts on what I have been doing, thinking that [I] am doing the best, but more needs to be done. Generally, people in this community have been carrying out a portion of hygiene practices [that] I have learned during the training, like improper use of latrines, which contribute to cases of open defecation as well as lack of compost pits for waste disposal."

Learning proper handwashing techniques.

She continued, "The most interesting topic for us was handwashing with soap. We had [the] privilege to learn how to make a very simple but important tippy tap, using locally available materials and little technology. I liked it and will endeavor to make one for my family."

Thank you for making all of this possible!

July, 2024: Furave Community Spring Protection Underway!

The lack of adequate water in the Furave 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!