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!

"Accessing this waterpoint will help my children live a healthy [life]. There will be no sickness because of dirty water. They will be [able] to spend most of their days in school [and not] at home. Spending most of their days in school [they] will be able to improve their performance, and [their] grades will improve. This will make them pursue their dreams and become important people in society," said 30-year-old Edwin Muganda.

Edwin at the protected spring.

"The waterpoint will help me live a healthy life since I will have the strength to work on my farm, plant vegetables, [and] arrowroots. I will be able to rear pigs, which has huge returns. By doing this, my household income will increase greatly," Edwin continued.

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

Dina at the spring.

"Having access to clean water nearer will help me not to go far for water. This will enable me [to] save time and concentrate on my studies. I will be able to arrive at school early; this will make me alert, and [I will] learn without the worry of being sent far for water. My grades will improve because of doing my homework on time and doing my remedial studies," said Dina.

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

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 Joyce Naliaka, Mercy Wamalwa, Mercy Odongo, and Adelaide Nasimiyu deployed to the site to lead the event. 24 people attended the training, including 12 women and 12 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 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.

Learning about proper handwashing.

"Attendance was as I expected because there was a representation of all ages, all genders. After the training, they can comfortably reach out to their peers who didn't get the chance to be in the training to be taught what they learned. There was a representation of a community health promoter who was able [to] emphasize the hygiene practices taught. There was the representation of community leadership to reinforce the laws and regulations formulated by the water user committee," shared Field Officer Adelaide Nasimiyu.

Anna.

"The interesting part is where the facilitator took us through the process of ensuring important parts of the body are cleaned. She added by saying that when washing your body, one needs to put on clean clothes because putting on dirty clothes after taking a shower makes no difference with a person who has not showered. Today, I learned that when you are clean, hygiene-related diseases will not come near you, and this will make you live a healthy lifestyle for a long [life]," said Anna Waswa, a 61-year-old farmer and secretary of the Water User Committee.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

January, 2025: Exciting Progress in Namwaya Community, Thanks to You!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Hudson 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!