Rehabilitation Project
Indangalasia has 490 members who urgently need a reliable and safe water source. The current community spring is in dire need of repair—it is overcrowded and in disrepair, and the water it provides is not suitable for consumption. This poses a serious risk to the community's health and well-being, as they are unable to access clean and safe water for their daily needs.
Community members waiting to collect water from the unprotected spring.
"Water is depended [upon] by every single living thing, and we, as humans, cannot live without water because we need it for our survival," shared 26-year-old farmer Vivian Andabwa.
Like most women in Kenya, Vivian has many responsibilities at home that require water, so she spends a large part of her day collecting it. The water from the community spring doesn't flow as fast as it should, so she spends a lot of time going back and forth to transport it and also waits in long lines to fill containers.
Vivian collecting water.
"The longest time I waited to fetch water was around one hour because of the high number [of] water users and increased amount of people who come to our waterpoint from the neighboring communities, which [only] has seasonal springs," shared Vivian.
"The number of water containers that I fetch daily is 10, and [they] are all for everything for the household, including drinking, cooking, doing laundry, utensils cleaning, and even for domestic animal farming," said Vivian.
Sadly, the water that Vivian works so hard to collect often leaves her and her family suffering from water-related illnesses, but without other options, they are forced to consume it anyway, which is distressing for Vivian.
"I am really disturbed about this drinking water [that] can harm my family and me, but as a family, we have no any other choice or any other [this] water source to get water from," continued Vivian.
"I have ever had [a] sore throat because sometimes the water tastes bitter, especially during the rainy seasons. Also, my mother and husband contracted typhoid, where by my mother has had a recurring typhoid infection, and due to her age, it has been hard for her to access proper medication."
"Due to the water illness, I was not able to carry out my household and farming activities, and my husband was not able to go to work where he lacked his daily income, which caused my family to skip some meals and also lack school fees which caused school disruption because my s on was sent home for school fees."
Suffering from water-related illnesses does more than steal Vivian's morale. It also steals her health and her family's much-needed financial resources. Without those things, she is unlikely to thrive and make progress in her daily life.
Community members carrying 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.
