Report: D4W1: Laga Well

Funded by The Woodside Wishing Well, The Samburu Project drilled and installed a shallow well equipped with a handpump in this community.

Women and children formerly would walk 4 -10 km to the top of a hill to retrieve water. Now the well is within the village and they walk less than 1 km. They used to scoop soil for water that was polluted by animals and was therefore extremely unsanitary. The well has allowed for clean water. It is easier for them to use and they no longer have stomach aches. Women have time for business and to go town. They have more time for child-rearing and to oversee their families. Previously the women had back problems and some miscarriages due to the weight of carrying water over such long distances. Children have time to go to school because water is now closer to home.

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.