Mugango Community

March, 2026: Mugango Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

We transformed their spring into a flowing source of naturally filtered water. A chlorine dispenser is 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!

"The first challenge I hope this water point will solve for me is waterborne diseases, which were on the rise because water drawn from our water point was no longer safe for consumption because of breakdown and exposure to contamination. Another thing I hope this water point will solve for me is the time wastage when collecting water, because all eyes have been captured. This will give me time to engage in other productive activities like agriculture," said 74-year-old farmer and the elected vice chairperson of the water user committee, Abinary Isanji.

Abinary Isanji.

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

Mitchelle.

"Reliable, safe water reduces waterborne diseases for us, which reduces absenteeism and poor performance in school. So access to reliable water will reduce time wastage and improve hygiene and sanitation practices in school, making learning more comfortable," shared Mitchelle, 17.

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 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 received permission from their local field officers to fetch water.

We officially transferred ownership of the waterpoint to the Mugango Community.

Happiness and thanksgiving flowed in all directions!

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we determined their preferred training date. When the day arrived, facilitators Victor and Jonathan deployed to the site to lead the event. 12 people attended the training, including 4 women and eight men.

Training participants.

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, which 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.

Field Officer Jonathan Mutai shared, "Their  (participants') enthusiasm was evident in their willingness to attend the hygiene training, and participants actively engaged in discussions. They were also active throughout the training sessions, and they were even ready to volunteer to demonstrate during practical sessions when requested to do so."

Brian Kidula, the 28-year-old chairperson of the water user committee, shared his experience during the training. "Initially, I did not know the ten steps of hand washing and why there is [a] need [to] observe high standards of hygiene, but I have gained knowledge about germs, transmission modes, and the importance of proper handwashing."

Brian Kidula.

Another topic that caught Brian's attention was household water handling.

He said, "It made me realize that we can have access to safe, clean water right at the water point, but the way we handle it, right from the containers we are using to collect water, transportation modes, and even storage back at home, may ultimately affect the quality of water, hence causing harm to users."

Thank you for making all of this possible!

January, 2026: Exciting Progress in Mugango Community, Thanks to You!

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