Well construction

In this sense, the installation of water tanks and the construction of the well in the village of Mwandogo are just as much a part of this as the construction of toilets and the planned further water supply for sanitary and hygiene measures.

Why is the construction of a well so important for a backcountry village like Mwandogo?

Imagine that you have no water supply with running fresh tap water. Imagine walking 5-10 km a day to get water from an uncontrolled and therefore contaminated source. Would you like to use this water for your needs, especially as drinking water?

A national emergency was declared in Kenya in 2017, as there was a drought throughout East Africa. During this time we have provided emergency aid several times by buying water and having it transported to the village in tank trucks. Thanks to a generous donation, a second water tank was installed to collect rainwater. However, these measures do not permanently solve the problem of water shortages, unclean spring water and far too large distances to the water sources. The decision was made that the village needed a well for economic and health reasons to keep clean water at all times in the event of the frequent drought. This is even more important since the rainy seasons have become very irregular and there are always long dry periods in between rainy seasons.

The water from the newly drilled well will be pumped up using solar panels that generate the needed electricity. The additional costs of the solar system compared to a diesel-powered generator are amortized on the one hand after a few years due to the savings when purchasing diesel. Secondly, the use of solar energy in a country where the sun shines for many hours is more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Even if it is getting more and more difficult and slower to penetrate the ground, more than 90 meters have now been drilled. Meanwhile, there is now always waist-high water on the very hard rock bottom at a depths of 90m when the well drill starts its work. A few meters have to be drilled to ensure a long-term supply of fresh water. After that, it can be planned to what extent the water can also be used for agriculture or toilets.

Financing the well construction was only able with the money from the first sponsor run in late summer 2018 and 2019 and above all further generous individual donations. The purchase of the solar panel system, as well as the remaining completion of the well construction, is now another cost that still has to be covered. The fountain is the cornerstone of further measures and projects to help people in the village make a living.

It was very important to us that a local traditional trade company digs and builds the well and that the villagers support the work in order to motivate them to use the water and technology with care, and above all to encourage them to help themselves (within the scope of their skills and opportunities).