Ebulembo Community

September, 2025: Ebulembo Community Spring Protection Complete!

Your contribution has made access to clean water for the Ebulembo Community possible!

We transformed their spring into a flowing source of naturally filtered water. A chlorine dispenser is 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!

Phyillis Atitwa, 56, remarked, "The new waterpoint will help me get income for my household since I will not fall sick and therefore most of my time will be spent in income-generating activities. I will also be able to save my money that I've been spending on medication, and this will automatically better my life."

Phyllis Atitwa.

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

Eight-year-old Ireen shared, "I will not waste time struggling with a banana leaf to fetch water. I will not fall at the drawing point while trying to fetch water. I will not be sick or absent from school since [I] am drinking clean water. This will help me improve my academic performance."

Ireen celebrates clean water!

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.

Laying the foundation of the spring.

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.

Beginning construction of the walls.

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.

Setting the collection pipe.

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.

Constructing the stairs.

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.

Community children celebrating the completion of the spring.

We officially gave ownership of the waterpoint to the Ebulembo 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, Mercy, Joy, Faith, David, and Jacquey deployed to the site to lead the event. Thirty community members attended the training sessions.

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.

Soapmaking training.

"Their active participation during training sessions expressed their positivity and willingness to learn everything that would impact and improve their living standards. This was all spearheaded by the fact that their dream of getting clean water had now been fulfilled, which increased their level of trust for us since we had delivered what we had promised. The participants were open to discussion and asked more questions as possible, a fact that left us convinced that the new knowledge they had received was going to be of great help to their daily living," reflected facilitator Jacquey.

Desterio Wabuti (left) shakes hands with our field officer.

65-year-old Desterio Wabuti is the chairperson of the water user committee. He commented on his experience in the training sessions. "I am glad that we received new knowledge concerning hygiene, sanitation, and waterpoint management, which has been a long-time problem in this community. Lack of soap and difficulty in water access have always been our excuses, but now that we have them, we hope to improve."

Thank you for making all of this possible!

July, 2025: Exciting Progress in Ebulembo Community!

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