Report: D4W7: Ldupai/Jerusalem Well

Funded by Mighty Fine, The Samburu Project drilled and installed a shallow well equipped with a handpump in this community.

In the past the community had to walk 20km over the Matthews Heights Mountains. Now it varies, however on average many trek less than 1km! The Samburu people used to use the river as their primary source of water during the wet season but the river was polluted by hospital waste. Because members now have the well and do not use the river water, the prevalence of diarrhea and other waterborne diseases has decreased substantially. More children are able to go to school and women have time to embark on business and work in the town of Wamba. Donkeys and cattle are surviving droughts as livestock can now draw water water at 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.

People have moved their houses closer to the well, which unfortunately puts them into what is known as a "Malaria Zone"; therefore they are more susceptible to contracting this lethal disease.