Rehabilitation Project
The 350-person Iyala Community struggles to access sufficient water. Their only water source, Mwiyala Spring, is an open source that provides contaminated water. Water-related illnesses run rampant among people who consume it.
The contaminated spring.
Eleven-year-old Hellen is far too used to getting sick because of the spring water. We asked her how often it happens, and she said, "Every time, and then I get sick because of the unsafe water that I drink."
Hellen.
When Hellen is sick, she misses out on crucial classroom time. Education is already an uphill battle for a young girl in Kenya, so it becomes an almost impossible challenge when she is forced to lose time.
"When I am sick, it forces me to stay home to take medicine for recovery. Missing examinations can cause me to repeat classes due to poor academic performance," Isata shared.
Congestion at the spring.
"I take [a] long [time] fetching water because of the crowd. There are long queues which makes me delay at the spring before drawing water," she continued.
Every single community member is giving up the time needed to earn income, pursue education, and care for their families. That stress causes conflict among them, making the time they spend standing in line even harder.
We asked Hellen if she had ever experienced unkindness while waiting to collect water. She said, "Yes, those who are older than me. Most of them have been unkind to me because [I] am still a child. They insist on the older people drawing water first before allowing any other person to draw water from the waterpoint."
Making the journey to the spring.
Making the Iyala Community spring work for them is the first step towards water security and improved health.
Protecting the spring will give Hellen the chance to live a life unencumbered by constant water-related illness. When she regains her health, she will regain the time and energy she needs so she can chase her dreams.
Hellen.
"My plan for [the] future is to become a doctor and train people about hygiene and sanitation," Hellen concluded.
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.
