Report: D4W3: Sordo Well

Funded by the Ramachandran Family, The Samburu Project drilled and installed a shallow well equipped with a handpump in this community.

Women and children formerly would walk from 5 - 7km to fetch water. The well shortens that distance drastically to a mere 5-minute walk. The livestock are able to keep hydrate because of the well water. As a pastoralist community, the well has helped the community survive drought. It has created a lifestyle change. Because they spend less time getting water, children, especially girls, have time to go to school. Women have time for family, going to town to sell their beads, and to prepare their meals on time. They normally carried 20-lb buckets on their heads that used to give them headaches and backaches. It was also unsafe as they carried their children. Women no longer have to walk in the mountains, a life-threatening feat due to the prevalence of dangerous wildlife including leopards, elephants, and buffalos. They are planning on creating a farm next to the well . They are waiting for the rains to come and then plan on supplementing with water from the well.

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.

It is the responsibility of the Well Management Committee to protect the well and oversee the children's usage.