Mang'uliro Community 5

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!

The treasurer of the water user committee and local farmer, Sarah Tindi, shared, "The new spring is going to be a lifesaver! Accessing water is safer now with the stairs installed, no more injuries or struggles. Balancing water used to be a real challenge, but now I can fetch water with ease. It was a nightmare, to be honest - tedious and draining. But now, fetching water is a whole different story!"

Ms. Tindi (middle) celebrates the newly protected spring.

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

Natasha is ten years old. She shared, "Waterborne diseases were common in our household, resulting in frequent illnesses due to [the] consumption of unsafe water. This led to [being] regularly absent from school, negatively impacting my academic performance. However, I am now committed to regular school attendance and dedicated study habits to improve my grades and work towards becoming a teacher."

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.

Excavating 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 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.

Laying the spring's foundation.

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.

Setting the discharge pipe.

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.

Cementing the spring walls and stairs.

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 tiles to prevent erosion.

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.

Community members plant grass.

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 Rachael, Gladys, Wesley, Jonathan, and Amos deployed to the site to lead the event. 14 people attended the training, including 11 women and 3 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.

Field officer Rachael Obura shared a moment that made the participants laugh: "The participants laughed when they saw a picture of people polluting a water source. Someone was peeing in the water, another was bathing, and someone else was collecting water downstream. They laughed at how wrong it was. The facilitator asked, "Is this true?" and they laughed again. They knew this happened in some communities. The facilitator used this to talk about why water source protection is important . The participants were engaged and talked about how to keep water clean and safe."

Florence (far left) participates in the training.

The secretary of the water user committee shared her impression of the training sessions. Florence said, "The training has been a real eye-opener. I have gained a new perspective on how we can improve hygiene practices in our community. At least every homestead is supposed to have common things, like a compost pit, latrines, and hanging lines, which are components that help us maintain sanitation and hygiene. Simple habits like proper waste disposal and regular handwashing can significantly impact sanitation and hygiene. It's not just about individual actions, but collective efforts that can lead to change."

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 Edith 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!