March, 2025: Shikose Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

"Access to safe clean water will bring back dashed hope amongst us and our children. The challenge we had been experiencing of waterborne and water-related ailments will be a thing of the past. Our kids will not be missing school [as] often as before. This will help them get enough time for learning as opposed to before. Besides that, since we have contained the challenge of waterborne ailments, wherever we get will help us make them comfortable in school by buying learning materials and even getting basic needs for them so as to concentrate fully in school," shared Veronica Burudi, a 48-year-old farmer in the community.

Ms. Veronica Burudi.

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

"Reliable water will impact my learning at school positively. The waterpoint will be discharging water throughout all seasons of the year, so at no given time will I waste my time on seeking water in distant places. The rate of absenteeism will reduce because of access to safe, clean water, and that will give me an opportunity of schooling regularly, thus getting enough time for learning," said 17-year-old Thomas.

Thomas in the newly protected spring.

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 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's foundation.

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 spring's 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.

Building the stairs.

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.

Pitching stones to prevent erosion.

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.

Plastering the spring walls.

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.

Installing tiles 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.

Planting grass.

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 Shikose 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, facilitators Victor Musemi, Nelly Chebet, and Jonathan Mutai deployed to the site to lead the event. Eighteen people attended the training, including twelve women and six men.

Training in session.

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.

Soapmaking lesson.

"They learned each and every topic attentively while asking questions and responding to questions asked. They were most interested in [the] soapmaking process as it was new to them, and some wanted to take it up as a business idea which would make them busy to generate income," shared Field Officer Jonathan Mutai.

Burudi Shimaka, 51, is the village elder. He attended the training and shared with us what impacted him the most.

Burudi at the spring.

"Ten steps of handwashing. The topic of handwashing to me was very interesting simply because [I] am now [in my] fifties, yet haven't heard of it before. I even made an effort of participating to demonstrate the process after the facilitator had done it. I have learned the reason why we are not supposed to wipe our hands with hand towels while sharing with many people. Besides that, I have learned that it is not good to wash our hands with water in a basin, especially [if] all family members share hand washing water in a basin, which amounts to recycling [the] dirt."

Thank you for making all of this possible!

January, 2025: Exciting Progress in Shikose Community, Thanks to You!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Veronica and the entire Shikose Community. Construction has begun on the spring protection project, bringing them one step closer to having clean, reliable water.

But that's not all—during construction, we’re also providing vital health training. These sessions equip the community with essential hygiene practices, ensuring that the benefits of clean water extend to lasting health improvements.

We’re so grateful for your role in making this possible. Stay tuned for more updates—soon, we’ll be celebrating the arrival of safe water in the Shikose Community!