Alufu Community 3

Project Status

Project Type: Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 140 Served

Project Phase: In Service - Apr 2026

Functionality Status: Functional

Project Features

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There are 140 people in the Alufu Community who struggle to access clean water. There are no stairs, so making the journey down the hill to the spring is dangerous, especially when it rains. When they finally make it down to the waterpoint, the water they collect is even more dangerous. Their spring is not protected, leading to water-related illnesses.

The spring in need of protection.

Kezia Naliaka is 46 years old. She is a local farmer and mother. Her children are often ill without clean water access, and her farm struggles. Thanks to the spring she is forced to use, Kezia herself has chronic health issues.

"In 2024, I was sick [from] typhoid. It was tough, because I [didn't have] enough money for treatment. I was told to buy some drugs to use, but it was difficult for me. Up to now, my body is still weak because of the typhoid."

Ms. Kezia Naliaka.

The never-ending cycle of getting sick, being unable to work and earn an income, thus not being able to afford medication and basic necessities for your family, is a cycle that Kezia seems to get stuck in. And she's not the only one.

"I was told at the hospital to avoid contaminated water. The waterborne diseases like typhoid take a lot of money to treat. I used the money I had and started borrowing so that I could get the full dose for typhoid treatment," she shared.

With no other source options, Kezia must choose between quenching her and her children's thirst while contracting harmful diseases or going thirsty.

Kezia carries unsafe water home.

"It is bad to take water that harms you. When I see my children taking the same water, I feel so bad. In the end, I use a lot of money for treatment. This money could have been used in other economic activities," she continued.

It's a delicate balance, one with deadly consequences.

Kezia lamented, "The consequences of the water crisis are [a] lack of money, poverty, and death because if you don't get good treatment for typhoid, you can die."

Clean, accessible water will give Kezia and her family a new life. With it, she could become and stay healthy, and her children would be healthy and able to stay in school. Kezia's farm would flourish and provide a livelihood unlike any she's known until now.

"Water is life. Without water, I can't imagine how people, animals, and crops can survive. We need clean water to drink, cook, wash, and [do] many other things that need water," Kezia 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 possible 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.

Project Updates

April, 2026: Alufu Community Spring Protection Complete!

Your contribution has made access to clean water for the Alufu 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!

"The water point will make a difference in their lives because the water is safe and reliable, which will reduce waterborne diseases," shared 46-year-old business lady Keziah Naliaka. "The water point will help me to generate income. I will use the clean water to make soap and sell [it] to get an extra income."

Ms. Naliaka collects clean water.

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

Teresia at the protected spring.

"Reliable water will improve things for my friends and me because it will be easy now to fetch water from the protected Spring. I will use the stairs to easily and conveniently access the water point," said 12-year-old Teresia.

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 Alufu Community. Happiness and thanksgiving flowed in all directions!

"The participants committed themselves to take care of the protected Spring. The knowledge they have acquired will be used to change their livelihood both at [the] family level and community level," Field Officer, Mary Afandi said.

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we determined their preferred training date. When the day arrived, facilitators Mary Afandi, Eric Wagaka, and Daniel Mutuku deployed to the site to lead the event. 25 people attended the training, including 20 women and five men.

Training participants.

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.

Learning how to care for the spring.

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.

The group learns how to make soap. Ms. Manini (wearing the pink headscarf) enjoys learning this new skill.

Mary Manini shared what she learned from her favorite session on generating income. "I have learnt that even if I have a small [piece of] land, I can use it to generate income to support my family. I can plant

Thank you for making all of this possible!

February, 2026: Exciting Progress in the Alufu Community!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Ms. Naliaka and the entire Alufu 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 Alufu Community!

Project Type

Springs are water sources that come from deep underground, where the water is filtered through natural layers until it is clean enough to drink. Once the water pushes through the surface of the Earth, however, outside elements like waste and runoff can contaminate the water quickly. We protect spring sources from contamination with a simple waterproof cement structure surrounding layers of clay, stone, and soil. This construction channels the spring’s water through a discharge pipe, making water collection easier, faster, and cleaner. Each spring protection also includes a chlorine dispenser at the waterpoint so community members can be assured that the water they are drinking is entirely safe. Learn more here!

Alufu Community 3

Project Status

Community Profile