Rehabilitation Project
In the Shinambande Community, 212 residents struggle to access sufficient water from Ochiva Spring, their natural water source. Because the spring is unprotected, the water does not flow freely and is contaminated, which makes community members dangerously sick.
"The first time I contracted typhoid [I] was forced to be admitted [to the hospital] because I was extremely sick so that the doctors [could] monitor my progress," shared 15-year-old Eric.
"Over the past four months, [I] have been diagnosed with typhoid three times, and it has just been related to the water we take," he continued.
Eric at the spring.
The spring is open to contamination, but community members like Eric have no other option but to consume the unsafe water. When they have the fuel available, they can boil the water, but it is scarce, leaving them in fear of the very water they need to survive.
"I have to miss school when [I] am sick because [I] am always weak. I couldn't walk for a long distance, so [I was] forced to miss school, which really affected my grades," Eric continued.
Unfortunately, this spring has a myriad of problems. It is unsafe to consume, but community members also waste precious time waiting for a turn to fetch water.
Community members collect water.
"Fetching water makes me waste a lot of time, especially when [I] am sent by my mother to fetch water in the morning before going to school. This is the day I normally get late to school, and I always find the first lesson already taught. This spoils my entire day because I won't be able to concentrate fully, and this has led [to] my academic performance to be poor," Eric shared.
We asked Eric what contributes to making water collection such a lengthy process. He answered, "The fact that I am a child and [have a] small stature makes me take so long to fetch water. Secondly, long queues make me go home empty-handed, and some quarrels that normally occur at the waterpoint make me wait until they are calmed down [to] fetch water."
This water crisis affects every aspect of life. Eric has seen it devastate his mom's business, crucial to their family's income.
"My mum was a small business person, but due to our frequent visits to the hospital, it brought down her business as a result of drinking unsafe and unclean water," he continued.
Protecting the Shinambande Community Spring will give residents like Eric access to clean and safe water, enhancing their lives instead of creating roadblocks. Eric has big plans for the future, and clean water can make it more likely.
Eric.
He shared, "When I grow up, I want to be a teacher so that I can be able to educate and create awareness in my community members on the importance of having clean and safe 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.
