At The Samburu Project, our work has never been just about drilling wells. While that is the foundation of our work, it is not the finish line - our work is truly about sustaining the communities we serve for the long term.

True sustainability means showing up long after construction is complete. It means returning, listening, repairing, and strengthening local leadership. Most of all, it means building partnerships that last for decades - not just months.

This month, we’re shining a light on an often unseen but essential part of our mission: well repair and continued community engagement. As we continue moving through our timeline, 2008 marks the next chapter we’re reflecting on - our third year as an organization. 

In 2008, we drilled 10 wells that continue to serve approximately 4,250 people today. Over time, 4 of these wells required full replacement to continue functioning, 2 wells are currently no longer operational, and the remaining wells continue to provide safe water daily.

This is the reality of infrastructure in remote regions. Hand pumps endure constant, heavy daily use. Parts wear down, seals loosen, and metal components corrode. During heavy rains, flooding can damage systems, and at times even elephants (also searching for water!) can trample pump structures.

What Well Maintenance Looks Like

When a well needs attention, the process of restoring it is deeply collaborative, relying on partnership between communities and our team. From the very beginning, it’s important to recognize a core principle of our work: the wells belong to the communities they serve. Our role is to help communities build the knowledge and systems to sustain their water sources for the long-term. 

Each community identifies three members to serve on the well maintenance committee. During the drilling process, these members are trained on how to properly care for the well, monitor its condition, and perform small repairs when issues arise. To support this system, we also use a digital monitoring app that allows our team to track the status of every well. This real-time tracking ensures that we can respond quickly and prioritize maintenance needs across this remote region. 

Even with strong local stewardship, ongoing partnership with our team remains essential. At the heart of this work are Aldo Lesuutia and Paul Lekuuk, and Ezekial Lalaishimi who comprise the TSP Well Repair and Maintenance team. Together, they travel long distances across challenging terrain on their motorbikes to inspect every well at least twice a year to monitor conditions, and if needed, diagnose issues and guide repairs. Their work is both technical and relational; from disassembling heavy hand pumps under intense heat to coaching community committees on long-term care.