Makale Community 6

March, 2026: Makale Community Spring Protection Complete!

Your contribution has made access to clean water for the Makale Community possible!

We transformed their spring into a flowing source of naturally filtered water. A chlorine dispenser is 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!

Ebby Mmbone, 65, is excited for what this new waterpoint means to her! "This newly protected spring is a great relief for me and my family. The strong structure, fencing, and overall protection of the spring and the reservoir have eliminated contamination. This means cleaner, safer drinking water, leading to a decrease in waterborne illnesses like typhoid and diarrhoea, which have been frequent in our community. Collection of water will also be faster, reducing the time spent at the spring."

Ebby Mmbone.

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

12-year-old Shantelle shared, "Before this waterpoint was protected, I constantly worried about slipping, falling, and hurting myself while carrying water because of the eroded and uneven paths. Well-installed stairs have given me confidence to walk to and from the new water point. My peers and I make as many trips as possible to the spring without worrying."

Shantelle at the waterpoint.

Preparing for Spring Protection

Community members help haul bricks and stones.

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.

Community members hauling fence posts.

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.

Excavating the spring.

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.

Constructing the walls of the spring.

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 pipe. 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.

Ensuring the discharge pipes are placed properly.

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.

Plastering the walls and stairs.

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.

Placing stones to prevent erosion around the spring.

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 pipe.

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

Setting the tiles beneath the discharge pipes.

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.

Community members plant grass around the spring to prevent erosion.

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 received permission from their local field officers to fetch water.

We officially transferred ownership of the waterpoint to the Makale Community.

Clean water is flowing!

Happiness and thanksgiving flowed in all directions!

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we determined their preferred training date. When the day arrived, facilitators Christine Masinde and Daisy Khatunyi deployed to the site to lead the event. Sixteen people attended the training, including eleven women and five men.

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, which 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.

Soapmaking training session.

Facilitator Christine Masinde was impressed by the community's engagement in the training session! She shared, "The topic that sparked the most discussion was liquid soap making. When the trainer introduced the topic, there was a visible excitement from the participants. The demonstration was met with intense focus. The chairman, who was also part of the training, said that for years they have bought soap expensively. He added that now, with their own clean water from the spring and the soap they had learnt to make, they would maintain good hygiene standards in the entire community."

Learning about spring maintenance.

Robai Ayeko, 70, is the treasurer of the water user committee. She was excited to learn how to care for the spring!

Robai Ayeko.

She said, "Spring maintenance was interesting because it [was] directly connected to everything else we learnt and felt like the key to our future. We have just seen the Wilson Muranda Spring transformed. Before the training, we might have just waited for someone else to fix any little issue, if something went wrong with the spring, but learning about maintenance showed us that we have the power and the knowledge to protect our water point. Minor issues are to be resolved by us, and major issues should be reported to the implementing partner."

Thank you for making all of this possible!

January, 2026: Exciting Progress in Makale Community, Thanks to You!

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