Water Projects – Utooni Development

About the project

The water project has five components: construction of sand dams, Establishment of shallow wells, distribution of donkeys to vulnerable households, distribution of 10,000-liter water tanks to groups with tree nurseries, and water distribution.

Sand Dams

A sand dam is a concrete barrier built across a seasonal river to accumulate sand, which filters, stores, and shields water from evaporation, ensuring its prolonged availability, probably bridging the two rain seasons. The water project has implemented 855 sand dams, and 3 are in progress. These sand dams have ensured continuous water availability to community members even during the dry seasons, since most of the rivers in the counties of Makueni, Machakos Kajiando are seasonal and run dry within three months after the rains.

Shallow wells

Access to improved water sources and basic sanitation remains a challenge to communities living in rural arid and semi-arid areas of Makueni, Machakos, and Kajiado counties. Unimproved water sources such as ponds, dams, streams, unprotected springs, and scooped wells are the main sources of domestic water, this predisposes community members to waterborne diseases.
To increase access to improved water sources, UDO implements shallow wells in these counties, in areas with high water tables, especially near UDO sand dams. UDO establishes 15 shallow wells in a year in addition to the shallow wells established alongside new sand dams. The shallow wells are dug to a depth of 12 to 15 feet and a width of 5 feet. The well is secured with culverts, and the inter-ground and culvert space is filled with gravel, and a hand pump is installed. The earth, gravel, and porous culverts filter clean water into the well, providing clean and safer water to community members.
To improve health, the project has incorporated WaSH training into the shallow wells component, which ensures the adoption of health and sanitation practices by the community members. The grouted shallow well slab prevents water contamination by surface runoff and animals, while the incorporation of WaSH trainings enables communities to be at par with the rest of the world in the race to the realization of SDG 6, “clean
water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Distribution of water tanks

UDO distributes 10,000-litre water tanks to self-help groups with tree nurseries. This is aimed at boosting the group's income-generating activities - commercial tree nurseries. In a year, UDO distributes 2 tanks.

Water Reticulation

UDO also undertakes the installation of water distribution systems to enhance accessibility to clean water to households, by increasing the number of water points to clustered households, in the organization's quest to make SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation) a reality. NB: All UDO water project beneficiaries are trained on hygiene and sanitation.

OUR LATEST SHALLOW WELLS

MEET OUR PARTNERS

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF)

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund is the Anglican Church of Canada’s agency for sustainable development and relief. With the support of Anglicans across Canada, PWRDF partners with organizations working to increase healthy pregnancies and births, reduce gender inequality, relieve hunger and break the cycle of poverty in the world’s most vulnerable communities. Against a backdrop of climate change, PWRDF strives to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.</p?

Working towards a truly just, healthy and peaceful world.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is an integral part of the Christian Church, although distinctive in government and practice. The Army’s doctrine follows the mainstream of Christian belief and its articles of faith emphasise God’s saving purposes. Its objects are ‘the advancement of the Christian religion… of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole.’

APA Insurance

APA Insurance was formed after the merger of the general insurance businesses of Apollo Insurance Company and Pan Africa Insurance

APA Insurance underwrites General Insurance risks such as Motor, Agriculture, Marine, and Micro Insurance. We also underwrite Individual and Family Health Insurance. Our products provide customers with peace of mind, helping both businesses and individuals to return to the same standing following a loss or other unfortunate event.

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Sahakarini

Sahakarini was established as a charity in 1979 by six Camrosians: Gordon and Mina Schieck, Norman and Eloise Umbach, and Jane and Jack Ross. Over the years we have partnered with organizations on projects in Kenya, Tanzania, Nepal, India, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Brazil, Haiti, and Guatemala. To understand the heart of Sahakarini and to learn more, read the story of our founder’s sandals below:

Sukuma Twende

The story of Sukuma Twende began in 2000 when a small group of cyclists took part in a charity event at the Oshwal Centre to raise funds to fence the endangered Aberdare Forest in Kenya.

The name “Sukuma Twende” comes from two Swahili words, “Sukuma” means to ‘push’ and “Twende” means to ‘go’.” This was the exact motivation the cyclists needed, and they walked away as Winners. This solidified the group, bringing them together with common goals & interests and growing from strength to strength while helping the less fortunate members of our society.

Sukuma Twende Trust is based on FOUR pillars. They include Welfare, Sports, Environment and Education.
These are the four pillars in society that make the largest impact on a nation and have the greatest potential for positive impact.