Funded by Marilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg, The Samburu Project drilled and installed a shallow well equipped with a handpump in this community.

Narrative

The trek to fetch water used to take 7 hours - now it takes a mere 5 minutes. People currently have time to do other jobs instead of walking to get water. Women no longer need to walk long distances while pregnant, so there have been fewer miscarriages. Community members say they are "happy and happy and happy" and that they "never even dreamed of having a well here."

  • Bob Falkenberg
    • Visitor
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: completed Tue 26 Jun 2012, Almost 12 Years ago

    Bob Falkenberg's June Visit

    Before this well, the community would either have to go to the river bed during the rainy seasons or walk six hours during the rest of the year to find water.

    Not only do they use the water from this well for drinking, cooking and washing, but they are now able to grow a garden because of this well. The garden surrounds the well and is about 40 meters by 50 meters. The community is growing spinach, carrots, tomatoes, peppers and onions, all of which help to improve dietary diversity. Other than tending the new garden, women use the time they used to spend searching for water to travel to Wamba Town to sell their bead work and livestock and to care for their children.

    There has been problems with the well. The well is located in an area where many outsiders pass through in order to get to the market. In order to prevent theft or tampering of any of the well parts, the community has locked the handle to the body of the well with a padlock. The well is currently being surrounded by bush fencing but the community recognizes that a chain link fence is needed to keep the animals that eat the vegetables in the garden out of the well site.

  • Heidi Sheppard of The Samburu Project
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: completed Mon 28 Feb 2011, About 13 Years ago

    Kristen Kosinski's Visit - February 2011

    On her visit Kristen met with a variety of community members, including elders, children and the chairwoman of the community's women's group. Below is the information she gathered on this visit:
    -The well is functional and it provides domestic water for the surrounding community.
    -The well reduces the incidence of waterborne diseases and distance traveled for water.
    -The local school receives clean drinking water for the students.

  • Impact Assessment (M&E) Phase Project completed on 15 Aug, 2008 Implementation Phase
  • Implementation Phase Project started on 1 Aug, 2008 Preparation Phase

Funded by Marilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg, The Samburu Project drilled and installed a shallow well equipped with a handpump in this community.

Narrative

The trek to fetch water used to take 7 hours - now it takes a mere 5 minutes. People currently have time to do other jobs instead of walking to get water. Women no longer need to walk long distances while pregnant, so there have been fewer miscarriages. Community members say they are "happy and happy and happy" and that they "never even dreamed of having a well here."

Sustainability

Creating and measuring long-term impact

The community agrees by contract to pay for maintenance costs. Each well committee collects approximately $250 per year for this purpose. In order to ensure well functionality and monitor its use, The Samburu Project spends approximately $160 per year per well. This comes from our general fund, which is maintained by individual donations.

Other Issues

Unusual and unexpected issues faced during project execution

Currently in the process of setting up a small garden near the well.

Learnings

Knowledge of project and process for sharing

-Need a better, more permanent fence so children won't play on the pump.
-Need to keep spare parts on hand so they can fix it quickly.

Impact

People Impacted: 2000

People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 2000

The main objective of the project is to provide clean, safe drinking water.

School Children Getting Water: 1000

People Getting Sanitation: 2000

Improved sanitation has been an ancillary benefit of community water availability.

People Getting Other Benefits: 2000

Maintenance/Operating Costs Annual, in US$: $410

Creating and measuring long-term impact

The community agrees by contract to pay for maintenance costs. Each well committee collects approximately $250 per year for this purpose. In order to ensure well functionality and monitor its use, The Samburu Project spends approximately $160 per year per well. This comes from our general fund, which is maintained by individual donations.

Funding

funded:
$12,500
Community:
$1,850
Final Cost:
$14,350
$13,000:
Anonymous

Plan/Proposal