Stephanie Ng's Visit- May 2012
When we first arrived at Soit Elotimi, we were greeted by an elder in the community, Mr. Lenareu, and a tween girl.
Every day, Mr. Lenareu comes to the well to make sure that no one is tampering with it. In the past he has found that when he is away from the well, kids like to turn the trough (which is an extension of the concrete slab foundation) into a swimming pool. Consequently, the elders gathered and made a resolution to make sure that children do not waste water or play at the well. They are currently trying to get all the families to enforce this rule.
This community used to walk six hours in search of water. Now it only takes five minutes for people to get to the well. The water is used for cooking, drinking and cleaning and is also shared by donkeys and goats (on very rare occasions is it used by camels and cows). Women can now make the long journey to the live stock market which takes four hours to go one way; before, when they had to walk far distances for water, they did not have enough time in the day to do both. Furthermore, women now have time to take care of other personal and domestic issues such as looking after the livestock well and spending time with their kids and family. People are healthier as well because they do not have to look so far for water or food.
According to Mr. Lenareu, the well has really changed not only their lives but the lives of their livestock. Prior to this well, the community would use their donkeys to help them fetch water. The donkeys would not only have to make that long journey to find water but would also be responsible for carrying the 20 liter jerrycans back home. Many donkeys died as a result of this burden. Now that there is this well, donkeys are healthy because they no longer have to do anything strenuous.
When asked what are some of the main issues faced by the community, Mr. Lenareu responded by saying there are no major problems anymore; the only problem that plagued them was where to find water but now they do not have that worry anymore. The only issue that the community faces has to do with schooling. On the one hand more children are now able to attend school. On the other hand, during the rainy season, the riverbed gets flooded which prevents students from going to school.
In regards to the state of the well, Paul noticed that when the tween was pumping water, the handle was a little short which makes the hand pump very heavy and requiring greater exertion. He was able to extend it so that it is at the ideal length. When asked if the well had any problems, Mr. Lenareu said that the well has been working perfectly and the water is clean and tasteless right now. However, during the drought season the water becomes slightly salty but is still good for human consumption and does not deter people from taking this water.
Several Samburu mamas and their children came to the well while we were still there. Lucas recognized an older Samburu woman that was approaching us. Lucas told me that when he and Kariuki, our hydrogeologist, were first pegging the ground and doing the hydrological survey, this lady named Malayan Lenareu did not believe that they could have water at all in this area. Malayan came up to us and expressed how grateful she was and how she now has so much faith and trust in Lucas to the point that whatever he promises her from now on, she will believe him.
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