Mang'uliro Community 6

August, 2026: Mang'uliro Community Spring Protection Complete!

Your contribution has made access to clean water for the Mang'uliro 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!

"With water available in plenty now, I will have enough time saved to work on other income-generating activities that will see my dreams of giving my family a better life come true. My children will also get enough time to do their school assignments, thus performing better in their academics," said 44-year-old farmer Olivia Mukasiali.

Ms. Mukasiali collects clean water.

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

"My school is already equipped with a reliable borehole from The Water Project, and now with this new protected spring back at home, I'll have [an] easy time both at school and home. This will give me good time to read, study, and revise, and this will result in good grades. While at school, I'll not worry about home. With this peace of mind, my learning will improve," said 17-year-old Sovic.

"Reliable water will lead me to realizing my dreams of becoming a medical officer. I'll have enough time to study after fetching water faster than before. Things will also improve in my family because my parents will not spend much money treating us because of diseases caused by dirty water," Sovic continued.

Preparing for Spring Protection

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.

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.

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.

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 pipe needs 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 pipe without making contact, to prevent cross-contamination.

If we place the pipe too high, back pressure could force water to emerge elsewhere. Too low, and community members would not be able to access the water easily.

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.

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.

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 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 Mang'uliro Community. 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 Lillian, Amos, Rachel, Mark, and Janet deployed to the site to lead the event. 36 people attended the training, including 19 women and 17 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.

Soap-making session.

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.

"Community participation and project maintenance prompted more discussion from the participants. The elected chairman, having been handed a record book by the field [staff] in charge of this project, asked the community members who had not contributed towards the implementation to raise their hand and commit themselves to when they will do so, so that he could record [it] in the new book. Every household had a representative who gave the family's name for recording. With households recorded, the community members discussed which day was comfortable for every household to send a representative for spring cleaning and maintenance. They settled on Saturday as their day of communal cleaning at the spring," shared Field Officer Lillian Achieng.

Ms. Mukasiali.

"I learned that germs can be transmitted into our body through our hands. Through handwashing, we can curb this and live a healthy life. I have always washed my hands, but this time [I] was taught how to wash my hands correctly. I also learned that open defecation can lead to flies carrying germs into our food and end up causing diseases," said Ms. Mukasiali (quoted earlier).

Thank you for making all of this possible!

July, 2026: Exciting Progress in Mang'uliro Community!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Sovic and the entire Mang'uliro 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 Mang'uliro Community!