February, 2025: Namwaya Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

"My children will be healthy because they will now start consuming safe water. This will help them stay in school throughout the school calendar. By staying in school throughout the year, they will work harder in their academics. This will make them excel with flying colors, which will enable them to achieve their dreams of being big people in society," shared 49-year-old Margaret Machengo.

Mrs. Machengo.

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

"This waterpoint will improve things for me. Before this water point was constructed, we used to slide and fall with water because of the poor access to the water point. This made me really hate going to fetch water. Now that we have stairs, I will not wait to be called upon to fetch water by my parents, but I will be sending myself to help my parents. The relationship between my parents and I will improve since the source of their quarreling is being solved," said 12-year-old Emmanuel.

Emmanuel.

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.

Community members gathering materials.

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 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 pipes 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 pipes without making contact, to prevent cross-contamination.

Setting the discharge pipes.

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.

Setting stones to prevent erosion.

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.

Plastering the walls.

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.

Laying plastic.

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 Namwaya 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 Adelaide Nasimiyu, Elvine Atsieno, and Milka Watoya deployed to the site to lead the event. 33 people attended the training, including 22 women and 11 men.

Training.

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 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.

Community members participating in the oral hygiene training.

"The participants expressed their enthusiasm through their eagerness to learn. They were so attentive, you could tell from the way they were asking and answering questions. They were also taking notes, asking the trainer to repeat the areas they didn't understand," shared facilitator Adelaide Nasimiyu.

Joylene Wanga (and her daughter peeking out from her back!).

29-year-old Joylene Wanga shared the topic in training that made a big impact on her. "The training is going to change the community's hygiene practices like what we have just learned. Most of the people from this community usually believe that when they put chlorine in water, it tastes bad, and they cannot stand the taste or smell, so they prefer taking water with no chlorine. After we have learned that it tastes like that because we don't put the right dose and mostly we leave that responsibility to children, as a community, we are going to ensure that we use the right dose of chlorine so that we drink safe water."

Joylene participating in handwash training.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

December, 2024: Exciting Progress in Namwaya Community!

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