Stephanie Ng's Visit- May 2012
When we visited Laresoro Well, spirits were high, water was flowing, people were helping one another, donkeys were happily drinking water… it was a beautiful sight! For Nolmungi Lobuk, the biggest way that this well has changed her life is the fact she does not have to go far distances to find water. The other women attested how this well has cut their time in search of water from 6 hours to 20 minutes. They no longer have to spend their time sitting in the baking sun scooping soil in hopes of getting a small pool of dirty water to bring back to their families. They no longer are debilitated with waterborne diseases such as diarrhea every day. They can now properly bathe and wash themselves. They now have time to look after their animals and properly cook and care for their children! They can finally do the things that all mothers aspire to achieve- raise their children to be healthy and clean human beings that now have the time and ability to go to school and pursue an education in hopes of a better life.
The biggest issue that this community now faces is insecurity or conflict with different tribes. There are frequent conflicts over livestock among the neighboring tribes (who are not Samburu) and when these fights occur, the Samburu people leave this area to avoid escalation. For this reason, they are unable to permanently stay near the well.
This well has had no problems since it was drilled and was pumping perfectly when we visited the well.
As we were leaving, Lucas spotted one of the women who had just arrived at the well and he identified her as one of the women who was present when he and Kariuki did the hydrological survey. She could not believe that this place could ever have water. She told Lucas that this must have had to be some kind of miracle and she is still astounded by this well and incredibly grateful to The Samburu Project and the donor.