Project Status



Project Type:  Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 250 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Jul 2025

Functionality Status:  Functional

Project Features


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Community Profile

The 250 people living in the community of Mache have a primary water source that is making them ill and costing them vital resources needed to progress in their daily lives. To the untrained eye, Joseph Were Spring may look like it is flowing well and that the water is clear and safe to drink, but contamination can't always be seen, and reports from community members confirm that the water quality is a serious concern.

Joseph Moiben Welabunuka is a thirty-seven-year-old farmer and community health promoter. He is intimately aware of the struggle. His family faces constant struggles related to consuming dirty water, but without an alternative, they have no choice.

Joseph collects water from the spring.

"Water is extremely essential since it prevents illness, quenches thirst, improves personal and environmental hygiene, and is also used for irrigation and animal feeding in my farming operations. Access to clean, safe drinking water is critical for overall health. As a result of consuming contaminated or unsafe water, my family is at danger of being ill," shared Joseph.

Joseph caring for his livestock.

"My sister-in-law recently drank water from this spring and became seriously ill with typhoid. She was then transferred to the hospital for treatment. Her body had a high level of typhoid; thus, she was admitted to the facility for nearly a week," Joseph continued.

Joseph carries water home.

"When we get sick, we usually go to the hospital. Because I am neither a civil servant nor any other employee, I am unable to pay for medical insurance, so the hospital expenses are frequently too costly. I lose a lot of money on medication. This annoys me because I am unable to pay my bills without a consistent source of income."

"Furthermore, because I do most of the farming work when I am sick, everything comes to a halt until I recuperate. This is a major setback."

Joseph sprays his crops.

Joseph and his community need a reliable, clean water source that will not make them ill. He works hard to care for his family and provide for them daily, but without clean water, he will continue in a cycle of poverty, expending all of his resources on treating water-related illnesses.

Protecting the community spring will rid the water of contaminants, giving Joseph and the rest of the community hope for the future.

Steps Toward a Solution

Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. They decided to safeguard the existing flowing spring.

Spring Protection
Springs are natural water sources that originate from deep underground. As water travels through various layers of the earth, it undergoes a natural filtration process, making it cleaner and safer to drink. To protect these spring sources from contamination, we construct a waterproof cement structure around layers of clay, stone, and soil. This design channels the spring water through a discharge pipe, facilitating easier, faster, and cleaner water collection.

Chlorine Dispenser
As an extra measure towards water quality safety, uniquely engineered chlorine dispensers are installed at all of our spring protection projects so community members can treat their water with pre-measured doses of chlorine. The chlorine treats any residual contamination and stays active for two to three days, ensuring water stays safe to use even when stored at home. Chlorine delivery and maintenance of the dispensers are part of our ongoing community support.

Community Education & Ownership
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each community's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point. Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for everyone in the community. Encouraged and supported by the guidance of our team, a water user committee representative of the community's diverse members assumes responsibility for maintaining the water point, often gathering fees to ensure its upkeep.

Project Updates


July, 2025: Mache Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

"There will be no diseases. It has solved the issue of people crowding at the source, which used to make the water dirty. The cows that used to graze at the water point will no longer be an issue due to the new fence. There is drainage [to] control the stormwater. It has brought unity amongst us as a community," shared local farmer Catherine Were.

Ms. Catherine Were.

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

8-year-old Joy said, "I will be able to get water after school quickly, get my assignment done, and wash my uniforms twice a week. This will help me [be] cleaner and have [an] easier time at school and even at home."

Joy.

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 artisans 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.

Excavation begins.

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 pipes need 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 pipes without making contact, to prevent cross-contamination.

Setting the discharge pipes.

If we place the pipes 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.

Setting 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 pipes.

Plastering the spring walls and stairs.

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.

Community members 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.

We officially gave ownership of the waterpoint to the Mache 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 Wesley, Amos, and Kevin deployed to the site to lead the event. 23 people attended the training.

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 demonstration activities, such as dental hygiene and handwashing, presented moments of laughter when done in a funny way. The trainer described how some people brush their teeth using a stick and a jug full of water. He did a demo on how people wrestle [while] brushing their teeth. This made people laugh," shared field officer Jacky.

Handwashing lesson.

38-year-old Joseph Moiben participated in the training. He's a farmer and the chairperson of the water user committee. When we asked what he liked about the training, Joseph said he really liked the soapmaking lesson. He said, "I liked how we were involved in every process and step in making the soap. I learned the chemical names, which included ungarol, ufacid, CMC, and perfume. The names were very interesting and easier to grasp. Personally, being involved in making the soap will make me never forget how we made that soap."

Joseph Moiben.

"The skills I have gained today about soapmaking are something I can teach my children and improvise handwashing facilities. I have a responsibility of ensuring my children have access to primary health care facilities, knowledge, and skills," Joseph concluded.

Thank you for making all of this possible!




June, 2025: Exciting Progress in Mache Community!

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




Project Photos


Project Type

Springs are water sources that come from deep underground, where the water is filtered through natural layers until it is clean enough to drink. Once the water pushes through the surface of the Earth, however, outside elements like waste and runoff can contaminate the water quickly. We protect spring sources from contamination with a simple waterproof cement structure surrounding layers of clay, stone, and soil. This construction channels the spring’s water through a discharge pipe, making water collection easier, faster, and cleaner. Each spring protection also includes a chlorine dispenser at the waterpoint so community members can be assured that the water they are drinking is entirely safe. Learn more here!