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

Narrative

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.

  • Stephanie Ng of The Samburu Project
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: completed Mon 21 May 2012, Almost 12 Years ago

    Stephanie Ng's Visit- May 2012

    While we were still driving to this well, Juma informed me it currently is not functioning properly. When we arrived, Mr. Lesirko, an elder in the community was present and able to expound on the problem. About two weeks ago the four bolts that kept the top part of the well secured to the metal encasing began to break and Paul was unable to tighten them. Because of this breakage, the two parts are not closed tightly enough which makes it hard for the water to flow up. Fortunately the community has enough money in their repair fund to pay for the spare parts. They knew what to look for since they had previously had this same issue and were able to replace the bolt. However, this time around, they could not find the bolts in town. Paul is aware of which bolt to get and will go into neighboring towns to find the spares.

    For now, in order for the community to take water from this well, someone has to actually stand on the spout part of the well in order to close the gap. However this is not a long term solution since it does not effectively or permanently close the gap and it still takes about thirty seconds of rigorous pumping for the water to flow up and come out.

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  • Heidi Sheppard of The Samburu Project
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: completed Fri 22 Jul 2011, Over 12 Years ago

    July 2011 Update by Juma Lekaruaki

    Repaired well after a breakage. In addition, Juma mobilized the community of Jerusalem for future well issues.

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  • Heidi Sheppard of The Samburu Project
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: completed Thu 09 Jun 2011, Almost 13 Years ago

    June 2011 Update by Paalo Lekuuk

    Routine visit:
    -well is functional

  • Heidi Sheppard of The Samburu Project
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: completed Mon 23 May 2011, Almost 13 Years ago

    May 2011 Update by Paalo Lekuuk

    Routine visit/Mobilize community to fix the rubber:
    -Well functioning after rubber fixing
    -Rubber provided by the community

  • Heidi Sheppard of The Samburu Project
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: completed Fri 20 May 2011, Almost 13 Years ago

    May 2011 Update by Paalo Lekuuk

    Children of the community cracked the slab of concrete around the well and it needed to be repaired. Paalo and members of the community constructed a new slab for the well.

  • Heidi Sheppard of The Samburu Project
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: completed Sat 26 Feb 2011, About 13 Years ago

    Kristen Kosinski's Visit - February 2011

    On her visit Kristen met with a variety of community members, including elders, children and the chair woman of the community's woman's group. Below is the information she gathered on this visit:
    -Not Functioning for 2 weeks prior to the visit because of a broken rubber. Community secured pump with wire so the children would not break it.
    -The community has pulled contributions for rubber repair. They were waiting for the supply.
    -Also the community committed to fixing the fence and building a traditional house around the pump for protection
    -3.8.11 Paul repaired the well
    -Wazee, community elders, sleep there at night to guard the well

    -The community claims, "The whole world is taking water from this well"

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  • Heidi Sheppard of The Samburu Project
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: completed Tue 01 Jun 2010, Almost 14 Years ago

    Sarah Ball's and Ashley Cook's Visit - June 2010

    Notes from the Jerusalem Well:
    -Many people have moved their houses closer to the well, putting them into a malaria zone.
    -Needs a permanent fence because it is along a corridor with quite a bit of foot and animal traffic, which makes it more prone to breakage.
    -There have been 5 breakages. Project manager provided parts for the well
    -The community members knew how to fix it.

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  • Impact Assessment (M&E) Phase Project completed on 30 Apr, 2010 Implementation Phase
  • Implementation Phase Project started on 1 Apr, 2010 Preparation Phase

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

Narrative

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.

Sustainability

Creating and measuring long-term impact

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.

Other Issues

Unusual and unexpected issues faced during project execution

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.

Impact

People Impacted: 3000

People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 3000

The main objective of the project is to provide clean, safe drinking water.

People Getting Sanitation: 3000

Improved sanitation has been an ancillary benefit of community water availability.

People Getting Other Benefits: 3000

Maintenance/Operating Costs Annual, in US$: $410

Creating and measuring long-term impact

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.

Funding

funded:
$13,000
Community:
$1,850
Final Cost:
$14,850
$13,000:
Anonymous

Plan/Proposal