The 350 residents of the Bumini Community struggle to access reliable water safely. Every time they go to collect water from their partially protected spring, they fear for their health and safety. One death has already been caused by water-related illness.
Field Officer Mercy Wamalwa shared, "They have reported that they have experienced death, which is just related to the consumption of this water, and it has even been recorded in the nearby healthcare facility because the water point is open for contamination."
Mercy paints a difficult picture. The water is open to contamination and actively makes people sick. Every moment spent sick steals time from other crucial life-improving activities and reduces already struggling incomes.
Eight-year-old Brandon feels this pain quite literally.
"For the past year, I have been diagnosed having typhoid five times, and this has been due [to] the water that I consume. I have to miss class because of sickness because during that time, when [I] am sick, [I] am always weak, [I can't] walk for a long distance. My concentration is also affected, thus lowering my academic progress," he shared.
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Brandon.
Brandon's mom works hard to provide for her family, and every illness they endure takes more from their income. Brandon notices.
He shared, "Since the waterpoint broke down, my mum's life changed because we were frequently visiting the hospital, which took all [the] amount she had saved from her small business, thus making her not swiftly move on with our life."
Unfortunately, the water crisis affects more than just their health. It challenges their safety and disrupts community unity.
"[I] am always pushed [to the] back of the queue because [I] am just a kid. Adults have been unkind to me because they normally take advantage of me because [I] am just a kid, and [they] dismiss me for fetching water," Brandon bravely shared.
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Community members wait while Brandon tries to collect water.
Because the spring is in disrepair, the flow isn't as fast as it could be. That, paired with the treacherous terrain around it, causes long wait times, which increases the unrest between community members. Everyone has important things to do and things to accomplish to care for their families, which makes tensions run high when no one is able to get to those crucial tasks.
"It's because of long queues that make me take [a] long [time], and sometimes it's because of quarrels that normally take place at the waterpoint, which makes me afraid of my safety, thus making me delay fetching water," he continued.
The Bumini Community deserves the opportunity to come together, live healthy lives, and make better futures for themselves. Brandon has been sick for much of his young life and will thrive with access to clean water.
"Fetching water has really impacted my time at school because of the time [I] spend fetching water. If I could have directed that time to my studies, I could be registering [a] good performance," said Brandon.
"My plan for [the] future is that I should study smart so that in the future I can become a doctor so that I can treat children who are really affected by taking unsafe water."
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 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.