Kristen's Visit 2013
We had a wonderful visit to the Lolgerded Community. We picked up Sabaya Letimorit, one of the community elders, along the main road (A2). He drove with us to the Laresoro Well first so we had a chance to talk for a while.
Sabaya has lived in the area since 1990. For some time, he worked at Governer's Camp in the Maasai Mara as he is a #1 sharp shooter, While living in the Mara, his daughter was attacked by a hyena. At the time she was 5 and spent two years in the hospital in Nairobi. I had the chance to meet Evelyn later in the day at the Lolgerded Well. She is now about 13 and in Grade 7.
When I asked Sabaya about the well he said that he did not believe there could be water near their home. Because of this, they take really good care of it. The community has a sand harvesting business in which they earn about 6000 KES/month. Some of these funds are set aside for well repair and maintenance.
When we arrived at Lolgerded, there were many people waiting for us to have a meeting. This is what learned.
Prior to the Lolgerded Well, women and children walked six hours each day for water. Now that they do not have to spend most of the day walking, women have time to look after animals, fetch firewood and take care of their children. The water from the well is fresh. The well is used for drinking, eating, washing and livestock. Growing crops is not possible as the soil in this community is sandy.
In the hand dug wells they drank from before, the water was salty which caused diarrhea. Also, the common cold and eye infections have decreased significantly since the new well.
Thus far, the well has had no breakages. The community improved the well by digging a trough for the domestic animals that was further from the water point so as to avoid contamination.
When I asked how many people were using the well, they just said soooooooo many. This community is clearly grateful for clean water! As a way of showing their gratitude, they adorned Lucas and me with bracelets and necklaces.