Rehabilitation Project
The 175 people who live in the Mudindi Community face a daily water crisis. They work hard to collect sufficient water to meet their needs from their primary water source, unprotected Ageni Spring, but sadly, it puts their health at constant risk.
Community members vying for water from the unprotected spring.
"A simple sip of unsafe water took me to the hospital. I felt sick and could not do my duties as normal. The pain in my stomach was so terrible that I survived with porridge as my main meal," said Jesca Anini, a 35-year-old farmer.
Jesca Anini.
"At the time of my visit to the hospital, the nurse told me that my medication required particular drugs which could not be available by then. Drugs from the hospital sometimes are expensive, leaving patients to only use painkillers to relieve them from pain," Ms. Anini continued.
"The money used to buy drugs sometimes affects the hard-earned income to [the] extent of borrowing to offset the deficit. Sometimes I try to pretend as though [I] am okay but my flesh feels weak and exhausted, to an extent of not moving at all. With this effect, I miss working in the farm and doing manual labor to earn a living for my family," she concluded.
Jesca at the spring.
Not only does Jesca suffer from waterborne illnesses by consuming the unprotected spring's water, but she also watches her family suffer, which is frustrating since she knows there are potential solutions available but not attainable.
"It is so upsetting to witness family members suffering because of using water that turns out to be harmful to their health, yet there are mitigation measures out there to arrest such situations," Jesca said.
Besides struggling with water-related illnesses from consuming the water, Jesca also wastes valuable time making trips to the waterpoint. It is not uncommon for her to make five trips a day to collect enough water for her daily needs, and she often has to wait in long lines once she arrives since the spring is overcrowded.
"The longest period that I have waited to collect water is approximately 20 minutes. This was caused by crowding at the spring, whereby those who came to fetch water were trying to ensure they filled their containers with water before allowing others to fetch [it}. I had to bear with the situation until my turn came for me to fetch water, and [I] headed back home," Jesca said.
Jesca doing laundry.
The community members in Mudindi need their spring protected so it is easier and faster to access safe water to collect and consume. Then, they will have time and energy to commit to other important tasks, such as growing food and increasing their livelihood.
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.
