Man leaving shallow well, after collecting water.

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Authors

Ella Jolly

Issue Date

30/01/2015

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en

Keywords

Water and Sanitation , Agriculture

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Alternative Title

Livelihoods and Donkey Welfare Initiative in Mandera, Kenya (1900016K)

Abstract

Practical Action are working with pastoralist communities to rehabilitate shallow wells to provide water from underground during the dry season. For thousands of years pastoralist communities have long relied on shallow wells dug into seasonal river beds (i.e. rivers that are only full of water during the rainy season); many of these wells have been abandoned. The older wells are more prone to contamination by animal or human waste. Practical Action makes simple changes to these wells, reinforcing the cylindrical structure of the well and then building a wooden frame on top designed for a rope and pulley system. Finally a concrete trough is built that is connected to the well by a small channel. Pastoralists can pour the water they pump into this small channel which flows to the trough from which the livestock can then drink. The improved wells are successful with the pastoralists because the wells consider the needs of the livestock, which are so precious to the proud pastoralist communities. In Mandera county Practical Action have helped to improve two shallow wells just outside Mandera town, which are already benefitting around 7000 women, men and children.

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All rights reserved

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