This project is part of Bridge Water Project's program in Western Kenya. What follows is direct from them:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Eshikumulo community is inhabited by members of different classes i.e. the literate and non-literate, employed and jobless. The community has a bigger number of young people than old.
Most people in this community are small-scale farmers who depend mostly on farm products. Most households have at least two to three indigenous cows that are a source of milk and cow dung, a small farm of sugar cane and sweet potatoes.
In the year 1987, the community was provided with a drilled well done by the KENYA FINLAND COMPANY. The well was installed with an afridev pump, which served the community for a long period until 2013 when it worn out and the community members did not know how to revive it. The well was then abandoned forcing the community members access water from a protected spring which is five kilometers away.
According to one of the community members, the afridev pump was later further vandalized and stolen by unknown persons.
CURRENT WATER SOURCE:
Through efforts of women, the families in this community access water from a five kilometer away protected spring, which belongs to another community hence being a source of conflicts. The spring is seasonal and therefore, the community members are forced to wake up as early as 2am to cue to have water.
POPULATION:
The community has a population of 60 households and each household has a number of 5-10 members. In addition, a church hosts more than 50 members from the neighboring communities.
HYGIENE AND SANITATION:
At least every family has a latrine and a composite pit to dump litter. A lot of awareness on hand washing and water treatment practices need to be done.
ACCESSING THE NEED:
Water is an essential need in this community especially for needs of cooking, drinking, cleaning, and watering animals and crops.
PROJECT BENEFICIARIES:
The project will benefit the community and the church.
WATER COMMITTEE:
The water committee is already in place.