{"id":113321,"date":"2020-10-09T08:00:32","date_gmt":"2020-10-09T12:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewaterproject.org\/community\/?p=113321"},"modified":"2021-01-22T09:11:19","modified_gmt":"2021-01-22T14:11:19","slug":"a-longtime-friendship-and-joint-commitment-to-clean-water-at-okanga-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewaterproject.org\/community\/2020\/10\/09\/a-longtime-friendship-and-joint-commitment-to-clean-water-at-okanga-spring\/","title":{"rendered":"A Longtime Friendship and Joint Commitment to Clean Water at Okang’a Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our team recently visited Irumbi to conduct a COVID-19 prevention training and monitor their water point, Okang’a Spring<\/a>. Shortly after, we returned to check in on the community, offer a COVID-19 refresher training, and ask how the pandemic is affecting their lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

During this most recent visit, we met up with Christopher Okang’a and Pius Atsango Ligami. Christopher and Pius are a formidable duo in Irumbi, and\u00a0they have been the champions of community development in their village. They are incredibly passionate about the protection of Okang’a Spring; if there is anything to do with the spring, they are at the forefront. The two men are neighbors and close friends, almost like brothers, many say.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Pius Atsango Ligami (left) and Christopher Okang’a<\/p><\/div>\n

Pius and Christopher both serve on the spring’s water user committee, Christopher as Chair and Pius as Secretary.\u00a0 “They have an excellent working relationship and coordinate so well. I like the way they are working together,” said team leader Catherine Chepkemoi.<\/span><\/p>\n

Together, Pius and Christopher are helping to inspire exceptional water management practices at Okang’a Spring, working with the rest of the water user committee and community to keep the spring clean and accessible. They are leaders in promoting improved hygiene and sanitation practices across the village; we noted that every homestead had at least one handwashing station as we walked through the community, just as our team had encouraged during the COVID-19 prevention training.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Pius outside his home<\/p><\/div>\n

Pius sat down with Field Officer Olivia Bomji during this most recent visit and shared his story of how the coronavirus is impacting his life and his community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Olivia met Pius outside his home to conduct the interview while both observed physical distancing and other precautions throughout the visit to ensure their health and safety. Christopher was also sure to drop by and share an update on Okang’a Spring’s use during the pandemic, as shared in the joint video with Pius, below.<\/span><\/p>\n