Project Status



Project Type:  Protected Spring

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 450 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Jun 2025

Functionality Status:  Functional

Project Features


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Community Profile

For the 450 Indangalasia Community members, it's been over ten years since their once-protected Amisi Spring has provided safe and clean water. Due to its extreme disrepair, the spring is dangerous to access and even more dangerous to their health when consuming the water.

Field Officer Joy Ongeri described the spring as follows: "The waterpoint drawing point is full of stagnant water that has algae, with a lot of tiny insects, frogs, and tadpoles in the water. The spring's wing walls are damaged, and one side of the wing wall is completely [absent]. The discharge pipe is corroded, and the stairwell is equally damaged. The headwall shows major damage that may adversely damage the springs' form with time."

Because of the spring's disrepair, it only provides unsafe water. The stagnating water community members stand in to collect water is a breeding ground for dangerous mosquitoes, which are responsible for other illnesses within the community.

Eight-year-old Justine has never experienced safe and clean water in his lifetime. What he has experienced is intense illness from consuming water from their spring.

Justine collecting water.

"My first typhoid infection, I was not well for around four months, which caused my school schedules or routine lack to consecutively go to school, which made me lack to learn for a whole term. Most of the time when I fall sick, I don't get to school because I didn't have any strength to attend school," Justine shared.

Justine sacrifices crucial classroom time due to illness. Every time he is sick, he is too weak to attend, putting him further and further behind. Without a good education, Justine's future is sure to suffer.

We asked Justine if he ever worried about his safety when collecting water. He said, "Yes, as you see, the stagnant water is a lot and had really given me [a] hard time drawing water from the discharge pipe without mixing it with the stagnant algae water at the drawing point. Also, the water contains animals and insects that may cause health problems or physical harm to me when drawing water."

Protecting the community spring will give Justine access to safe, clean water, reduce the illnesses that steal time from his education, and provide him with a healthier childhood. Justine has big dreams of working hard for his education, given the opportunity to be free from water-related illnesses.

"I am planning to really study hard to be a teacher and a businessman when I grow up," Justine said.

Justine playing with friends.

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.

Project Updates


June, 2025: Indangalasia Community Spring Protection Complete!

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

"I am really happy that now we have a good spring that has been well constructed. My family and I will not suffer from typhoid or amoebas. It will be easy to collect water compared to the past, where we used to struggle just to fetch water because there was stagnant water that was up to the discharge pipe. I will not have fear of getting skin irritations from the stagnant water or be bitten by a snake that used to be in the water once in a while," said 60-year-old farmer Beatrice Kanenje.

Ms. Kanenje at the spring.

"I will be able to engage more in my farming. I am hoping to start poultry farming and continue vegetable farming, which will help me earn income for my family," she continued.

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

"I will not spend a lot of time fetching water, and will not struggle just to fetch water, which will help me concentrate more on my studies since I am about to finish junior high school," shared 15-year-old Bravine.

Bravine gets a drink of fresh water.

"It will be easier for my parents to fetch water, especially my mother, because she has been really struggling to collect water and even spent a lot of time, making her not be able to do other things at home," Bravine continued.

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 collecting building 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 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.

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.

Setting the discharge 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.

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.

Placing tiles on the spring floor to prevent water erosion.

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.

Adding fencing to protect the spring.

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 Indangalasia Community.

The completed spring.

"The community members were very happy and they were leaping with joy for getting a newly constructed waterpoint," shared Field Officer Joy Ongeri.

Community members gather to celebrate clean water!

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 Mercy Odongo, Adelaide Nasimiyu, and Joy Ongeri deployed to the site to lead the event. 27 people attended the training, including nineteen women and eight men.

Practicing proper handwashing techniques.

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.

Community members learn to make soap.

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.

"The community members were very attentive, and they were most engaging during hand washing, where they all took part in it by following the facilitator's steps and guidance with ease. During the soap-making process, where they all were eager and excited, [they] even asked questions on the importance of some of the reagents and how they could get them to be able to start selling it as a committee for their own gain," shared Ms. Ongeri.

Ms. Opele.

"I liked the topic on oral hygiene, where we were able to be taught on when we should brush our teeth, how we should brush our teeth, and during the soapmaking process, because I didn't know how to make soap. Now that I know how to, I will be able to make soap for my family and sell it," said 42-year-old farmer Zippora Opele.

Thank you for making all of this possible!




April, 2025: Exciting Progress in Indangalasia Community!

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




Project Photos


Project Type

Springs are water sources that come from deep underground, where the water is filtered through natural layers until it is clean enough to drink. Once the water pushes through the surface of the Earth, however, outside elements like waste and runoff can contaminate the water quickly. We protect spring sources from contamination with a simple waterproof cement structure surrounding layers of clay, stone, and soil. This construction channels the spring’s water through a discharge pipe, making water collection easier, faster, and cleaner. Each spring protection also includes a chlorine dispenser at the waterpoint so community members can be assured that the water they are drinking is entirely safe. Learn more here!


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