Ifwetere Community 2

Project Status

Project Type: Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 210 Served

Project Phase: In Service - May 2025

Functionality Status: Functional

Project Features

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In the Iftwetere Community, 210 people are dealing with rampant typhoid infections due to the contaminated water from Philip Were Spring. With no other options, they are forced to consume the contaminated water to quench their thirst.

Field Officer Rachel Obura shared, "The little income the parents get from their work, they even use it to have clean water when they buy firewood and also take their children for treatment [to the] hospital when they get sick from water-related illnesses."

43-year-old Risper Shikuku, a farmer by trade and mother at heart, has felt the stress of unclean water for too long. Her family is at risk, but there's little she can do to stop it.

Risper.

"My two children got diagnosed with typhoid; it was such a challenging time because I could not afford their medication. I was forced to seek alternative treatment methods, and this entirely put my children's health at greater risk," said Risper.

Typhoid is a serious bacterial infection spread through contaminated food or water that can be life-threatening when left untreated, especially in children. Unfortunately, those treatments are costly, so Risper often resorts to using less effective, more traditional treatment methods. She has no other option.

"Whenever a family member falls ill, my daily routine is disrupted as I must attend to them, which affects my income," she added.

Maize crops that require significant water.

"The little income the parents get from their work, they even have to use clean water when they buy firewood and take their children [to the] hospital when they get sick from water-related illnesses," shared Field Officer Rachel Obura.

Being a farmer means any time not spent on her vocation is missed income. Risper is stuck between a rock and a hard place, having to choose between feeding her kids and caring for them while they are sick. This is a common problem in the Iftwetere Community.

Risper washing dishes with unsafe water.

"Drinking contaminated water is unsafe and can lead to illness, which may require costly medical treatment. If urgent action is not taken, the community will face a surge of waterborne infections, affecting its progress," Risper added.

Protecting the community spring will allow Risper to work her farm and provide for her family. They won't have to live in fear of getting sick and can pursue the things that matter to them!

"Access to clean drinking water enables communities to develop and grow their economy. This community will be able to grow economically with [an] existing supply of clean, safe water," concluded Risper.

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

May, 2025: Ifwetere Community Spring Protection Complete!

Your contribution has made access to clean water for the Ifwetere 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 has been made easier, and discharge has improved drastically. This will help minimize congestion at the water point, allowing me to create more time for my business, thereby increasing my income," shared businessman Christopher Andati.

Mr. Andati.

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

11-year-old Reagan shared, "Access to clean and safe water is essential for every family, including mine. My parents will have peace of mind knowing they are raising a family free from waterborne diseases. They will no longer need to spend a significant amount of money on medication for illnesses like diarrhea and typhoid. This will help them save money, ultimately improving our overall quality of life."

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.

Clearing the site to make way for the spring protection.

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 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 pipes. 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 pipe.

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.

Plastering the spring walls.

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.

As the walls cured, we finished the stairs and installed tiles beneath the discharge pipes. The tiles protect the concrete from the falling water's erosive force.

Backfilling the spring.

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.

Grass planting.

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.

The spring now provides safe water!

We officially gave ownership of the waterpoint to the Ifwetere 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, Samuel, and Rachael deployed to the site to lead the event. 15 people attended the training, including 12 women and 3 men.

Community members enjoy 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 participants demonstrated enthusiasm by actively engaging throughout the training sessions, both answering and asking questions. When called upon to demonstrate any examples, they did so willingly. After the training, they committed to applying what they had learned in practice," said field officer Rachael Obura.

Ann.

"I will apply what I learned in training and share it with others who didn't attend. I am grateful for the knowledge I have gained today," shared Ann, a participant in the training.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

April, 2025: Exciting Progress in Ifwetere Community, Thanks to You!

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

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!