The 280 residents of the Kwava Community have access to a partially protected spring that causes more problems than it solves.
Due to the state of their spring, community members risk illness every time they consume the water. Some can boil it in hopes of purifying the water, but some can't afford the fuel that a fire requires, and they are left with no other options.
9-year-old Alex feels the pain of this crisis, quite literally. We asked him how often he gets sick. He said, "Very often, because in our home, we don't have a proper way of treating water. We only depend on boiling water, which is not the case most of the time."
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/the-water-project/image/upload/c_fill,dpr_auto,q_auto,f_auto,w_auto/WP-Uploads/community/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Kenya410142-Kenya410142-Alex-M-1-9441.jpg)
Alex.
Alex's parents work hard to provide for their family, but there isn't extra money, and often, there isn't enough for their basic needs. So when someone gets sick and requires hospitalization and medication, it's a life-altering situation that ensures they stay stuck in a cycle of poverty.
Alex described a recent bout of illness he experienced.
"I could not eat well because I had a severe stomach ache and diarrhea, [and] my parents had no money to take me to the hospital. They gave me painkillers to ease the pain I was going through since they could not afford to take me to the hospital to get adequate medical attention. I could not sit well on a chair, so I had to miss school until I regained my initial energy again."
The time he misses in school takes away more of his education and future opportunities. "I have been performing poorly in school because I don't get enough time to revise (study) for my exam," he added.
With access to safe and clean water, Alex's potential is unmatched. Hopefully, his health will improve, and he can focus his energy on his education and building a brighter future.
He was excited to share his dreams,
"I want to be the best footballer when I grow up."
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.