November, 2024: Lukume Community Spring Protection Complete!

Your contribution has made access to clean water for the Lukume 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!

"With the completion of this project, [I] am assured of the safety of water, which means my children will have good health and better life to be able to witness their future achievements," shared 27-year-old Niphen Isaiah.

Niphen Isaiah.

"I had started small-scale poultry farming, which now is going to be my main focus to generate income, by selling the chicken when they are fully matured with [a] good price, after witnessing successful construction of our spring, which now is going to serve us with clean water for drinking and general home use," Isaiah continued.

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

"With [the] availability of reliable water, I will be able to keep myself clean and drink safe water. As [a] young boy, I used to go downstream and bathe using contaminated stream water, but now that we have a very clean water source, I will be bathing using clean water from this point," said 9-year-old Timothy.

Timothy. (middle)

"Reliable water will enable me to remain in school til late hours in the evening, knowing that when I get home, I will go directly to the waterpoint and find water, fetch it, and carry it home for use," he concluded.

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.

Community members gathering materials.

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.

Laying 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. 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.

Setting the discharge pipe.

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.

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.

Plastering the stairs.

We then cemented and plastered the 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.

Setting the tiles below the collection point.

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.

Backfilling the reservoir.

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.

Community member planting grass.

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.

Clean water is flowing!

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.

We officially gave ownership of the waterpoint to the Lukume 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. Eleven people attended the training, including six women and five men.

Training begins!

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.

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 training session was very lively. Participants were free to share their concerns, ask questions, make comments, and give suggestions on matters touching their lives. It was all well, where everyone was concentrating, during [the] handwashing demonstration, when one participant raised a concern that the process of handwashing will take away [the] appetite. That sent the training session into a laughing mood," shared Wilson Kipchoge.

Handwash training.

Thirty-two-year-old Isaiah Musa, a local farmer who attended the training session, shared his takeaways.

Isaiah Musa (front row, red pants).

"The training has made me understand the meaning of collective responsibilities within the community. From now on, after realizing that as an individual, I must lead by example through practically walking the talk. Previous hygiene practices, as we used to see and think, are gone, and now a new dawn has come. I will be championing my community to diligently observe and do the right thing entailing hygiene, to eliminate all hygiene-related cases from diseases to simple practices for a hygiene-compliant society," shared Isaiah.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

October, 2024: Lukume Community Spring Protection Underway!

The lack of adequate water in Lukume 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!