Rehabilitation Project
This project is part of Bridge Water Project's program in Western Kenya. What follows is direct from them:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The proposed Navakholo community borehole is a communal water project. The borehole is located at the edge of communal land, which is also used for sports by the community. The borehole was drilled, protected and installed with a Nira hand pump in 1990 by Kenya Finland western water company (KEFINCO). The borehole has a depth of 40M with a static water level of 23 M. The registration number of the borehole is C–7471. The borehole seized functioning in 2011 due to a breakdown of the pump. Since then, the water management committee tried several attempts to rehabilitate the borehole but failed. The pad had also undergone serious degradation. The borehole initially targeted 60 households but the population has grown and the demand risen. The water management committee approached Bridge Water Project to help in intervening by rehabilitating the borehole.
CURRENT WATER SOURCE
Community member’s source water from an unprotected spring located 3Km away. Water from the springs is not disinfected hence susceptible to contamination. Most homesteads do not apply point of use treatment technologies such as addition of chlorine and boiling.
POPULATION
The population of Navakholo community is 80 household with approximate 6 people per house averagely 600 – 750 people. (Editor's Note: While this many people may have access on any given day, realistically a single water source can only support a population of 350-500 people. This community would be a good candidate for a second project in the future so adequate water is available. To learn more, click here.)
HYGIENE AND SANITATION
Due to the challenges of accessing permanent water supply, hygiene and sanitation activities in the community and at the health facility had been compromised. Initial assessments revealed that most target beneficiaries were not keen on hand washing and latrine use. Most hand washing activities were done without use of soap or any other locally appropriate agents. A number of community members still defecated in sugarcane plantations hence compromising sanitary collection and disposal of feacal. Open disposal of children feaces in the backyards of homes was a common occurrence in the community. Water storage and handling was poor, most containers for collecting and storing water did not have lids exposing water to contamination. Most households had designated solid waste collection points but were not well secured and remained exposed to flies. Most families had dish racks in place, the only concern was storage of the cleaned and dry utensils. Most homes had kitchens or designated cooking areas. An assessment of few kitchens revealed poor hygiene and sanitation practices which often lead to breeding of disease causing vectors such as cockroaches.
ASSESSING THE NEED
Navakholo community is facing serious water and sanitation challenges. Access to reliable and clean water supply is still a major problem. Current water supply sources are either located far way, poorly protected or rationing. Most homesteads have access to pit latrines but the challenge lies in improving their conditions and promoting usage. Most community members do not wash their hands after defecating. Diarrhea cases were a common occurrence among children though just a few have been formally reported at the health facility. No health education has ever been carried out in the community. This has adversely affected the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards hygiene and sanitation practice in the community. Majority of community plans also ranked water supply as their first priority. Rehabilitation of the water project is key in enhancing access to permanent and clean water to the target beneficiaries. The multi-facet intervention approach which includes community sanitation and hygiene training will go a long way in initiating behavior change among the target beneficiaries hence promote health and reduce diarrhea disease burden in the community.
TARGET BENEFICIARIES
Navakholo market and neighboring community members are the target beneficiaries of the proposed borehole project. The borehole targets to benefit approximately 50 households and 200 at the market.
WATER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The proposed Navakholo community borehole had a water committee in place. The committee comprises of five members out of whom two are women. The members were elected by the community freely in a democratic manner.
