Rehabilitation Project
The Mukongolo Spring is located in the Shikoti Community of Western Kenya. The 690 people who call this community home rely on the spring as their main water source, but it is in poor condition. It offers contaminated water, and its current state makes accessing the trickling water difficult.
Field Officer Daisy Khatunyi described the spring. "The spring box is in bad shape and is having large cracks, which cannot be repaired, and therefore, this is no help to the spring because the water has diverted and is coming out through a space below the water point."
"There's this lady who has small children and was concerned about the quality of the water that they take; saying that she's spending a lot of money, which is supposed to feed them, to go to the hospital for her and her household to get treated for the water-related diseases (typhoid, cholera, etc). She just prays for a miracle to happen in that area [so] that the water will be okay for consumption and that one day they get to use treated water," Daisy continued.
This is not a unique experience in the Shikoti Community.
Forty-two-year-old Christine Alukwe is a house manager. She has children to care for and a house to run. She has dreams to realize. However, much of her time is consumed by collecting water and then dealing with its aftermath, leaving her with little time for her family or her future.
"There are times we got sick from taking the same water, because when you get to the spring, the style we use to fetch the water definitely is just not good, and this has been an issue I have had. But since there has never been a permanent solution to it, we've just been using the water the way it is, which has not been going well on our side, because we keep getting sick, and we have no solution [for] it," she said.
As much as she has tried, there is no feasible way to eliminate the diseases that have such a grip on their lives.
"We've been given tablets (to purify the water), and at times we are told to continue boiling the water. But it's consuming much of the firewood I have in the house. I skip it and just drink it the way it is, because it is becoming costly, but again, [I] end up getting sick. This has been the trend in my house. The nurses know me and also my children, and whenever I go there, they just know what they'll be treating. Turns out it's always the same thing, which is so frustrating," she lamented.
Christine heads to collect the contaminated water.
This ruthless cycle has devastating effects on her children's education, the family's health, and Christine's livelihood.
"Sometimes, I end up buying medicines which are so costly and end up taking much of my income, and make us have no choice but [to] skip meals to avoid overspending and just eat what's there to keep pushing for the next day," she bravely shared.
"Sometimes my children end up not going to school, hence missing classes, and because they have fallen sick, I have to postpone going to work, thereby taking care of my children till they are well, for me to go to work again," Christine continued.
Christine knows the value of the commodity they desperately need and struggle to obtain. "Water is very important to me because I use it literally in almost everything in the house, i.e., washing, cleaning, cooking, etc., and to me, it is like a diamond; something of high value that needs to be taken care of."
Hauling water out of the spring.
Repairing the spring will ensure that Christine and her family can drink safe water. There will also be chlorine readily available to ensure that any water-related illnesses are eradicated. Hopefully, Christine will then gain back the time she needs to build a bright future.
With clean water flowing from Mukongolo Spring, families like Christine’s will no longer face the impossible choice between health, education, and survival — they will finally have a chance to thrive.
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.
