Rehabilitation Project
The 210 community members who live in Ebuchimbe rely on an unprotected spring to meet their daily water needs. Sadly, though, the water they work so hard to collect often causes them to become ill with water-related illnesses that steal their health, resources, and potential for improved futures.
"Water is so important to me because I drink, cook, clean, and use [it] on my livestock, too," said 50-year-old farmer Everlyn Munyendo.
Everlyn collecting water from the unprotected spring.
Although water is critical for her everyday life, the water from the community spring is stealing more from Everlyn than it gives.
"Drinking water that harms [because it] is contaminated [is as] good as poison," said Everlyn.
"When [I] am sick, I don't get any income because I can not work while [I] am sick. I usually go to [the] hospital and buy medicine for my treatment, which has been too expensive for me. Recently, when I fell sick due to dirty water, my children were not able to go to school due to lack [of] money, which I usually provide when I am not sick. My life has changed due [to] sickness and lack of income," Everlyn said.
Everlyn.
Everlyn's profession is uniquely tied to this waterpoint. She makes an income delivering water to other people. However, with the spring in such poor condition, its flow has been reduced. This causes tensions among community members to rise as people waste valuable time waiting to collect water. For Everlyn, in particular, who often has to collect twenty containers a day, it is a time-consuming task that makes her a target of animosity.
On average, it takes Everlyn an hour to walk to the spring and back and, at minimum, another hour to wait in line. This tiresome task absorbs her day and does not allow for much else to be accomplished.
"I have been harassed on several occasions. This happens when I wake up very early to fetch water in 20 containers for selling; others come and steal my water to avoid the queue that would have generated. Several relationships have been affected among ourselves as a result of conflict caused by queuing for water," shared Everlyn.
People waiting to collect water.
With the spring properly protected, the water flow will be efficiently captured so it can flow quickly. Everyln and her fellow community members can get back to their other important daily tasks while trusting that the water they have collected will not make them ill.
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.
