Rehabilitation Project
The 210 residents of the Emukhalari Community struggle to access sufficient water. Their spring is broken down, contaminating the water, causing widespread illness throughout the community, and inhibiting their daily possibilities.
Field Officer Adelaide Nasimiyu said, "The area is not clean. The spring box is broken down [and] there is a high chance of contamination. The area is so steep, making it dangerous for the water users to access. The drawing area is flooded because of the poor drainage of the spring."
The community is grappling with increasing water-related illnesses in light of the current spring conditions. A considerable portion of the population consists of hardworking farmers who rely on their labor for income, which is often meager. When an individual falls ill, it creates a heavy financial burden, forcing them to make difficult choices and sacrifices to cover the resulting expenses.
"We have always gone to the hospital for treatment. The hospital bill is very expensive. I remember the last time my son was admitted [to] the hospital; I had to sell a cow so that I could be able to pay for the hospital bill and able to buy drugs. This made me experience loss," shared 39-year-old farmer Saida Musungu.
Saida collecting water.
Saida works hard for her family but struggles to get ahead. Due to the contaminated water they consume, she has constant medical bills.
"Drinking water that can harm my family has increased fear in me because of what I have gone through. I have taught my child never to drink water anywhere unless it's in their home because I am sure of treating water in my home. I think drinking water that is unsafe can really deteriorate the health of the family members," she continued.
But contaminated water isn't the only problem with their waterpoint. Because it's not properly protected, community members wait in long lines, further hindering progress. Plus, they don't just have to wait in long lines once; many community members make up to ten trips a day to collect water!
"The longest time I ever waited [in] the queue for water was for 2 hours. This was because of the severe drought in the region. People came from the neighboring villages because their hand-dug wells had dried. This was the only water source that was available to sustain the communities around," shared Saida.
Community members waiting to collect water.
"The proposed water solution will help the community access the waterpoint with so much ease. They will not have a fear of falling on the way while carrying water. It will ease the congestion of the waterpoint by providing enough space [to] help the water users draw water in an orderly manner. The water users will be able to access clean and safe [water] in all seasons with no fear of their water being contaminated by rain," Adelaide said.
"The community has a development goal [of starting] a community farm that will help them grow a variety of vegetables. They will have enough water to irrigate their crops and enough time to focus on this activity," Adelaide continued.
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 residual contamination and stays active for two to three days, ensuring water stays safe 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.
