Sawawa Community

January, 2025: Sawawa Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

"Before this project, our water point was open where most of the time water used to be dirty, so before fetching, one needed to wait until it was clear, and that was time-consuming. Secondly, cases of waterborne disease were at [a] high rate in the community after drinking this water before protection, but I believe now we will no longer experience those cases, and this will make a huge difference in our lives," shared 48-year-old Mary Nyakabi, secretary of the water user committee and a community health volunteer.

Mary Nyakabi.

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

Mary collecting clean water!

"Having clean, safe, and reliable water means I will be able to help my grandparents with house chores on time and have time to play with my friend. My grandparents will no longer spend money on medication as they used to do before when we used to fall sick after drinking water from the spring, and instead, they will use that money to complete their projects and invest in other activities that will improve our living standards in [the] future," said 10-year-old Mary.

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 help carry bricks for construction.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 Sawawa 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 Stella Inganji and Betty Muhongo deployed to the site to lead the event. 26 people attended the training, including 18 women and eight men.

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 interactive and participative, but the one topic that carried the day was oral hygiene. The [proper] use of toothbrushes and changing the toothbrush after three months prompted [the] most discussion with participants claiming that sometimes changing the toothbrushes when they still look good is hard. This stretched our discussion on [the] benefits of changing the toothbrushes on time, and it was well received, and they promised to try those proper and healthy ways for their benefits," shared Field Officer Stella Inganji.

Phyllis Wechoka.

"There are a number of things that as a community we need to change, for instance, washing hands using water in the bucket instead of running water, using toothpaste exposed to direct sunlight just because they are cheap instead of the ones that are properly kept and stored. So [these are] just a few among many other unsafe practices that have been a culture here in the community in many homesteads that need to be changed," said 38-year-old Phyllis Wechoka.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

November, 2024: Exciting Progress in Sawawa Community!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Joy and the entire Sawawa 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 Sawawa Community!