Mwiyala Community 2

May, 2025: Mwiyala Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

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

"The new water point will alleviate my suffering, which has been happening for a long [time]. Before this new water point, I used to fetch stagnant water at the spring, which was contaminated and had [a] bad odor. It caused a lot of diseases like stomachaches and throat infections. There were long queues during the mornings and evenings because a lot of community members were fetching water at the same time, which caused a lot of quarrels at the water point, and also a lot of time was lost. Now with this new water point, peace has prevailed amongst us because there are no more quarrels. The water is sufficient for everyone, and also, no time is wasted in long queues because the discharge is high," shared 56-year-old farmer Margaret Ochieng.

Ms. Ochieng.

We asked Margaret if the new water point would positively impact her income. She said, "Absolutely, yes! The new water source has really opened up my mind and I'm thinking of coming up with an irrigation project with the water from the spring, whereby I will plant indigenous vegetables which are marketable and fetch good prices at the local market. This will generate a lot of income for my household."

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

"Reliable water will help me not to abscond lessons. I will be able to complete school assignments on time and also attend group discussions, which in turn will help me strengthen my weak subjects. Lastly, I will have ample time to participate in games and nurture my talent," said 17-year-old Dennis.

Dennis in the spring.

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.

Women collecting materials for the spring protection.

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 land to make way to build up 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.

Establishing the 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.

Setting the discharge pipe.

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.

Cementing stones on both sides of the spring.

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.

Plastering the walls and stairs of 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.

Setting tiles beneath the discharge pipe to prevent erosion.

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.

Backfilling the area above the spring.

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 got the okay from their local field officers to fetch water.

The spring protection is complete!

We officially gave ownership of the waterpoint to the Mwiyala Community.

Happiness and thanksgiving flowed in all directions!

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we found their preferred date for training. When the day arrived, facilitators Victor Musemi and Christine Masinde deployed to the site to lead the event. 23 people attended the training, including 15 women and 8 men.

Training group.

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.

Handwash training.

We held an election for the newly formed water user committee who 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.

"The attendance exceeded our expectations. People turned out in large numbers. This was encouraging, and it showed how the community members were committed and eager to learn," shared training facilitator Victor Musemi.

Victor continued to share the most interesting topic at the training event. "When the facilitator introduced menstrual hygiene, a majority of participants believed that it should be discussed by women only. The facilitator went ahead and trained in detail on the importance of teaching our young girls how to take care of themselves when experiencing menstruation. One of the participants, who was an elderly man, was able to share his experience concerning menstrual hygiene. He shared how one of his daughters experienced menstruation for the first time, but she couldn't share with anybody due to shame until she realized her father was the only one around at the time. He explained how he managed to assist her on how to wear the menstrual pad properly. The session ended with several questions, more so during the practical session when a mature woman demonstrated how to wear a pad and took time to explain how carefully it should be handled."

Mr. Rabut.

Peter Rabut, Chairman of the Water User Committee, said of the training, "The training opened my eyes [to] many aspects of life. Through this, I am able to train others on hygiene and sanitation. This has also sharpened me on environmental conservation and proper water handling practices, and through this, my family and community at large will enjoy living healthier lives."

Thank you for making all of this possible!

April, 2025: Exciting Progress in Mwiyala Community!

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