Funded by Forever 21, inspired by our partners at Mighty Fine Inc., The Samburu Project will drill and install a shallow well equipped with a handpump in the Laresoro community.

Narrative

Women in this community spend most of their time looking for water. Children do not attend school because of the lack of clean water. Mothers and their children walk 8 km to a shallow hand-dug well for water currently. Waterborne diseases are on the rise.

The community will benefit in the following ways: reduced distance to water point, decline in waterborne diseases, and increased time for women to attend to other productive business.

The well will be used for the following: domestic purposes and livestock, farming, and as a community meeting point.

  • Stephanie Ng of The Samburu Project
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: completed Fri 25 May 2012, Almost 12 Years ago

    Stephanie Ng's Visit- May 2012

    When we visited Laresoro Well, spirits were high, water was flowing, people were helping one another, donkeys were happily drinking water… it was a beautiful sight! For Nolmungi Lobuk, the biggest way that this well has changed her life is the fact she does not have to go far distances to find water. The other women attested how this well has cut their time in search of water from 6 hours to 20 minutes. They no longer have to spend their time sitting in the baking sun scooping soil in hopes of getting a small pool of dirty water to bring back to their families. They no longer are debilitated with waterborne diseases such as diarrhea every day. They can now properly bathe and wash themselves. They now have time to look after their animals and properly cook and care for their children! They can finally do the things that all mothers aspire to achieve- raise their children to be healthy and clean human beings that now have the time and ability to go to school and pursue an education in hopes of a better life.

    The biggest issue that this community now faces is insecurity or conflict with different tribes. There are frequent conflicts over livestock among the neighboring tribes (who are not Samburu) and when these fights occur, the Samburu people leave this area to avoid escalation. For this reason, they are unable to permanently stay near the well.

    This well has had no problems since it was drilled and was pumping perfectly when we visited the well.

    As we were leaving, Lucas spotted one of the women who had just arrived at the well and he identified her as one of the women who was present when he and Kariuki did the hydrological survey. She could not believe that this place could ever have water. She told Lucas that this must have had to be some kind of miracle and she is still astounded by this well and incredibly grateful to The Samburu Project and the donor.

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  • Impact Assessment (M&E) Phase Project completed on 5 Nov, 2011 Implementation Phase
  • Kristen Kosinski of The Samburu Project
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: in_progress Wed 03 Aug 2011, Over 12 Years ago

    Red Tape in Well Drilling

    When Lucas went to the Water Resource Management Authority to pick up permits for our 10 wells, he first learned that the office was no longer in Nanyuki but had moved to Isiolo. When he finally arrived in Isiolo he was met with many challenges. For our previous four well drills, we have always produced the Hydrogeological Reports, an application and wrote a check and permits were given on the spot. Not this time! Not until this morning, 21 days after Lucas' initial visit to the WRMA, did we actually receive permission to begin drilling (still waiting for permits!).

    Lucas had to go back to EVERY community and get titles for the land we are drilling on. The challenging aspect of this is that no one "owns" the land in Samburu as it is the land of the community. He wrote agreements with the area chiefs, area counselors and key elders which stated that they were donating the land to the designated women’s group. When he went back to the WRMA with the Title Deeds, they then told him that he had to get a Constitution from EVERY women's group!!! Fortunately, Naibosho Women's Group in Wamba, an umbrella organization has representatives from all of the area's women’s groups. Instead of going back to ALL the communities again, he was able to use their Constitution. And lastly, a new association called the Water Resource User Authority has been formed. Lucas had to get three members of their committee to sign a letter saying that The Samburu Project has done a good job. Unfortunately, the three people who needed to sign live in three different places; Laikepia, Maralal and Archer’s Post which caused major logistical challenges.

    After Lucas spent week gathering the necessary materials and return to the WRMA office in Isiolo, it turns out that the person who is in charge was away for some time. Then, when he returned yesterday, after Lucas spent three days waiting for him, the computers in the office were down.

    All part of the adventures in well drilling...onward and upward!

  • Kristen Kosinski of The Samburu Project
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: in_progress Mon 18 Jul 2011, Over 12 Years ago

    Site Selection DAY 2

    It was a successful day! After surveying 4 sites, Kariuki identified a viable location for a well.

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  • Implementation Phase Project started on 18 Jul, 2011 Preparation Phase
  • Kristen Kosinski of The Samburu Project
    • confidential
    Implementation Status: completed Thu 14 Jul 2011, Over 12 Years ago

    Site Selection DAY 1

    Lucas and Kariuki had a disappointing day. They surveyed 12 potential sites today and found not 1 that was viable. The locations were as follows: Swari (2), Lenchuket (7), Lemarumba (3). After speaking with them at the end of the day, they were VERY tired and disappointed, but hopeful that tomorrow would be a more fruitful day. Please find the attached Well Questionnaire and pictures from the Lshuu Oitome community.
    (Note: There are few community members pictured as Thursday is the livestock market in Lolkuniyani and most everyone had traveled there for the day. The man and woman pictured were appointed to work with Lucas and Kariuki for the day).

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Funded by Forever 21, inspired by our partners at Mighty Fine Inc., The Samburu Project will drill and install a shallow well equipped with a handpump in the Laresoro community.

Narrative

Women in this community spend most of their time looking for water. Children do not attend school because of the lack of clean water. Mothers and their children walk 8 km to a shallow hand-dug well for water currently. Waterborne diseases are on the rise.

The community will benefit in the following ways: reduced distance to water point, decline in waterborne diseases, and increased time for women to attend to other productive business.

The well will be used for the following: domestic purposes and livestock, farming, and as a community meeting point.

Sustainability

Creating and measuring long-term impact

A water committee has been established. They will be responsible for well maintenance and monitoring as well as overseeing the community fund. They will also communicate with TSP if any problems arise.The community fund we be put in motion once the well is drilled in August 2011.

Impact

People Impacted: 1430

People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 1430

26 Villages @ 11 Households each with 5 people per house
Data Source: Community Elders & Local Government

School Children Getting Water: 293

Laresoro Preschool Units - 196 children
Laresoro Primary School - 97 children
Information not complete on the questionnaire. Awaiting confirmation.

People Getting Sanitation: 1430

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

People Getting Other Benefits: 1430

Water is the foundation from which all things grow. We expect that this community will receive many benefits beyond access to clean, safe drinking water.

Funding

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

Plan/Proposal