Luokho Community

May, 2026: Luokho Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

"Since I am a mother with a generation to serve, this new water point will help me prepare my grandchildren early in the morning for school and ensure my husband goes to work without delay. Finishing my household chores on time will also allow me to feed my cows properly for better milk production. Access to clean and safe water will help me maintain high standards of hygiene, which has been a big challenge for many years. With this improvement, I am confident that love, joy, and peace of mind will be restored in my life," said Jane Mwanje, a 60-year-old farmer.

Jane Mwanje.

"The new water point brings a new dawn for my children and grandchildren. They will be able to access water easily without any challenges and delays. This will give them more time to complete their school assignments on time," she concluded.

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

Metrine.

"Reliable water will give me peace of mind and help me focus in school. I will no longer miss classes and will be able to finish my homework on time. I will also have more time to study and consult with my teachers on topics I don’t understand," shared 17-year-old Metrine.

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.

Beginning excavation.

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.

Building the walls of the spring box.

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.

Setting tiles on the spring floor to prevent water 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.

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 spring box.

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.

Planting grass to prevent erosion above the spring.

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 Luokho Community. Happiness and thanksgiving flowed in all directions!

The completed spring with clean water flowing.

"The handing-over ceremony was attended by local leaders, a retired teacher, community health promoters, and several community members. The event began at the landowner’s homestead, where participants introduced themselves before walking to the water point. At the spring, the facilitator explained the importance of protecting the water source for long-term use. He emphasized avoiding the planting of eucalyptus trees near the spring (which diminishes underground water resources), cutting long grass, maintaining open drainage to prevent backflow, and keeping the area clean by not washing clothes or allowing animals to graze nearby. The facilitator also showed the key parts of the spring, and then invited the elected leaders to give brief remarks. The chairman spoke, reinforcing the facilitator’s messages, and later invited the pastor, who prayed for good health and pronounced blessings upon the project funders," shared Field Officer Victor Musemi.

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we determined their preferred training date. When the day arrived, facilitators Victor Musemi, Rose Amulavu, and Daniel Mutuku deployed to the site to lead the event. 22 people attended the training, including 16 women and six 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, 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.

Clementina (in green top) participates in the handwashing session.

"The training was very informative and has given me knowledge that will help me improve my hygiene practices. I can now demonstrate to my family the best ways to wash hands, maintain oral hygiene, and practice other personal hygiene habits. This training is a milestone for me and for the community as a whole," said 57-year-old Clementina Wacheta.

The soapmaking session.

Trainer Victor Musemi shared about the training sessions: "The topic that prompted the most discussion was personal hygiene, particularly handwashing practices, which became the highlight of the event. Participants shared how handwashing is normally done in urban areas, demonstrating [the] knowledge they had acquired. An elder took the stage and shared that washing hands improperly, especially after handling raw meat, could bring problems to the community. During the practical demonstration, several participants showed different ways of washing hands. Some believed the father should start, followed by the mother, and then the children, which highlighted the traditional but unhygienic practice of using the same water."

Training participants.

He continued: "The facilitator then introduced the ten steps of proper handwashing, which everyone practiced, showing that they had grasped the skills. The facilitator emphasized that clean hands are essential regardless of the circumstances and advised air-drying hands to avoid contamination before eating. After this, everyone agreed with the facilitator and promised to share the knowledge with others. Pictorial aids were also used to show the best handwashing practices using either a tippy tap or [a] leaky tin."

Thank you for making all of this possible!

March, 2026: Exciting Progress in the Luokho Community!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Ms. Mwonjia and the entire Luokho 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 Luokho Community!