Project Status



Project Type:  Dug Well and Hand Pump

Regional Program: Southeastern Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 500 Served

Project Phase:  Decommissioned

Project Features


Click icons to learn about each feature.



Community Profile

This project is being implemented by our partner African Sand Dam Foundation, and includes the construction of a hand-dug well.

Below is project information direct from our partner:

This is a new group, in which ASDF initially engaged with earlier this year. The group is located in Yikithuki area, which has a severe water shortage. It has a total number of 42 SHG group members with 13 being male and 28 females. The population of the village is estimated at 1045 people.

The main water source for the group is River Athi, which is a distance of more than 8 km. away. It takes 3-5 hours a day to fetch water from this point. ASDF did conduct a sample test on the water from river Athi and the results were shocking. The total coliforms (disease causing organism from human waste) present in the water were more than 100 for 100ml of water tested against 0/100 ml under world health organisation. This explains the response for high water borne and water related diseases by the members of the self-help group. Apart from the severe water challenge, soil degradation is also a major issue in the area. The farms do not have terraces to control erosion and this has contributed highly to low yields from the farms due to poor soil fertility.

The group seeks to be supported with extension services by ASDF on how to lay durable terraces, learn methods for improved farming and also gain skills and knowledge on how to utilise water for horticulture farming in order to gain income and also have food security.

The dam construction was completed on November 8 and construction of the shallow well is on-going.

The group showed high participation and willingness during the construction process. Being their first dam, the group hopes that they have began the process of addressing water and food insecurity issues in the area. The dam will also provide water for their livestock since this is their main source of livelihood in the wake of climate change.

Project Updates


March, 2024: Project Change in Wuumisyo Wa Miangeni Community!

Projects, like water itself, are fluid.

Sometimes, there are unique circumstances that can neither be resolved nor reversed that turn a well-loved water point into one that has failed to meet the expectations of both the community it serves and our own commitment to help provide access to safe and reliable water.

Unfortunately, this hand-dug well is no longer meeting the water needs of the Wuumisyo Wa Miangeni Community, despite repeated efforts, spent resources, and a lot of patience from the community and our team.

The Water Project, the community members, and local leaders have decided together that decommissioning the hand-dug well was the best course of action. As a result, we will no longer make monitoring visits here.




Project Photos


Project Type

Hand-dug wells have been an important source of water throughout human history! Now, we have so many different types of water sources, but hand-dug wells still have their place. Hand dug wells are not as deep as borehole wells, and work best in areas where there is a ready supply of water just under the surface of the ground, such as next to a mature sand dam. Our artisans dig down through the layers of the ground and then line the hole with bricks, stone, or concrete, which prevent contamination and collapse. Then, back up at surface level, we install a well platform and a hand pump so people can draw up the water easily.


Contributors