Team Tumaini 2007

The Sirende School Water Project

       In October 2006, when team Tumaini visited Sirende school, it was apparent that one of the greatest deficiencies was a source of clean drinking water in the area.   After discussions with Sirende's Schoolmaster, Sandy agreed to consider the implementation of a future project to construct a well at Sirende.

       After a series of emails through the Winter of 2006 and Spring of 2007 between Sandy and the Schoolmaster, it was agreed that Team Tumaini would return to Kenya and, utilizing local contractors, construct a "borehole" well which would provide clean water, not only for the students but also for the local community. 

       The original plan was to go in October 2007, however, elections were scheduled in Kenya for the Fall and the team was advised to go earlier to avoid any possible election unrest.  Consequently a two man team consisting of Gerry Foster and Ross Brewer was despatched to Kenya for three weeks in July.

Sirende School - the site of the Water Project.

Because there was no clean water on site, girls from the school would

walk 1.5 kms to return with brackish river water.

During the rainy season, students would interrupt their classes

to collect a drink of rainwater.

On the first day of arrival, Team Tumaini meets with the "Committee"

a group representing the various stakeholders in the project.

The Committee was responsibe for providing the drilling contractor

and having them on site on the day of our arrival at the school. 

The contractor arrived late and set up the equipment but no drilling was

accomplished on the first day.

Gerry explains the drilling process to members of the Commitee.

They inspect the screen casing through which the water flows to fill the well.

On day 2, before the drilling begins, the "Bishop" pronounces a blessing

on the efforts of the drilling team that they may successfully achieve

the goal of obtaining abundant pure water.

The drilling commences.

It's a messy job . . . .

. . . that attracts some interested spectators.

The job was not without its problems.  On day 6 the drive chain on the drill rig

breaks - repairs are made and the drilling continues.

When sufficient depth has been achieved it is time to flush

the well with compressed air.

The radiator on the compressor leaks badly and despite constant "topping up"

of the rad, the compressor fails after 20 minutes of operation.  This

requires  a trip into the local village for parts and repairs.

On day 8 the compressor won't start.  The starter motor has failed

requiring another trip to the local village for repairs.

In the meantime, construction is underway to build a pumphouse

and a base for the holding tank.

The holding tank arrives.

Finally, on day 8, the drilling and flushing is complete.  The submersible

pump is installed and tested  much to the delight of some of the students.

A booster pump was installed so that water could be transported to a holding

tank and water faucet at a second location.  Here the booster pump is tested.

The completed project: a 45 meter deep "Borehole" well with submersible

pump; a 5000 litre holding tank with an auto shut-off float valve; an external

water faucet and the associated plumbing; a pumphouse with lights and secure

windows and doors; a "booster" pump to allow for future expansion; and

110 meters of buried cable connecting the pumphouse to the electrical grid.

This well now provides clean water to Sirende School and the local community.