Rehabilitation Project
In Gemange Community, 210 residents depend on the aging Mukhwezi spring for every drop of water — but they’re not alone. Each day, nearly 500 schoolchildren join the line, overwhelming the already struggling source. The congestion makes using the spring unbearable some days, forcing residents to use a neighboring river as their water source.
And the problems don’t end with overcrowding.
The river community members use when the spring is overcrowded.
The partially protected spring is in disrepair, which inhibits efficient water collection. With over seven hundred people reliant on this source, efficiency is crucial. There just isn't enough water to meet everyone's needs.
Community members collect water at the dilapidated spring.
For longtime residents like Heman Mudeng’a, these struggles are not just statistics — they are daily realities.
Heman is sixty-five years old. He remembers a community where water flowed freely. The river that many rely on when the spring is too overcrowded isn't a protected water source, meaning community members often get sick from the water they trek to collect.
Mr. Heman Mudeng'a
"It is true, water is life." Herman reflected, "Growing up, we used to swim from that river you saw down the valley. Then water scarcity hit this region due to changes in climate and population growth. We were always reminded [that] one day nobody will be swimming there [because] people downstream [will] start depending on that river for [their] livelihood. I can confirm today that [the] river is life to many people downstream."
Collecting water at the river.
Water is life, but the water in the Gemange Community is draining the life out of its residents.
Heman and his family spend so much time collecting water, they use easily use up to one hundred liters, that is over twenty-six gallons , that they have to collect and haul home. Due to his age, responsibilities, and cultural structures, his grandchildren often bear the burden to ensure their family has enough.
"Most of the time, my grandchildren are the ones who always get me water from the spring; they take up to an hour just to bring water, especially during [the] drought season," he shared.
Regardless of who is collecting water, the hours they waste steal precious time from what matters most. Livelihoods, education, and future goals are all put on hold. The time spent collecting water comes at a steep cost
Heman coming home from collecting water.
"It depends with the situation. For example, there was a day I went to fetch water without realising students had been sent to fetch water for a school function since they had exhausted all water sources in the school. I waited for over an hour for them to fetch first.
But there is hope.
"I will spend more time crushing stones, engaging in the farm and other activities. We live hand to mouth, and due to inflation and [the] economic situation, we must work hard," Heman shared when asked what repairing the spring would mean for him.
Heman crushing stone.
Repairing the spring — and building a separate well for the school — will mean clean water, less congestion, and brighter futures. For Heman, it means more time providing for his family. For his grandchildren, it means more days in school instead of long walks for water.
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 possible 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.
