t the beginning of September, team Kenya hosted a training session for the water operators of our boreholes at the office in Kajiado. The training ran for two days and was catered specifically to the borehole water operators. Previously, we held trainings for the committees that oversee the borehole operations and addressed various needs/issues connected to it as a water source for the community. This time, we narrowed it down to the operators that directly oversee the borehole and the revenue that comes from it. The purpose of this training was to equip each operator with the skills needed to run and manage the production of the borehole effectively. The water operators at the training were Daniel from Inkuseron, Catherine from Shapashina, Leton from Nalala, Sam from Oloomunyi, and Richard from Orinie. The trainer in lead was Nelly Mopia who works for the Ministry of Water and Sanitation in the Kajiado County Government office. Her background is in engineering and as a government department, they often host professional trainings to equip individuals, particularly from the interior parts of Kajiado.
Nelly’s teaching methods were interactive and brought different teaching styles to the session that required active participation from the trainees. One of the activities the water operators did was drawing the layout of the boreholes in each of their communities to share the knowledge they have on its current operations. Doing so helped them identify areas where money came in and went out, red flags, and development opportunities. As they steered the conversation, they gained autonomy and a sense of personal responsibility.
Some of the other discussions that took place were around the key stakeholders of the water, financial management, challenges facing the operators and communities, troubleshooting, components of solar-powered boreholes, and sanitation. On a practical level, the water operators got to engage with the metering system that is at the Shapashina borehole on the compound where the training was happening. Being already connected to a solar system, viewing the setup helped provide clarity on how they can take care of their operating systems in their communities.
Overall, this training proved to be a huge success because we were able to engage directly with the operators who interact daily with the boreholes in our different partner communities. At the end of the training, each of the operators had this to say about the training:
“Through this training, I have learned the importance of recording and bookkeeping and accountability with finances.” - Leton (Nalala)
“There is a personal responsibility I, and the community, can take when it comes to the maintenance of the borehole.” - Richard (Orinie)
“I have learned that when there is transparency of how the funds have been used, it can reduce conflicts in the community. Also, about the various sources of management that can help in the maintenance of the borehole.” - Sam (Oloomunyi)
“I have increase in skills and knowledge on how to run the system as well as how to account for the funds and operation of the borehole” - Daniel (Inkuseron)
“This training has taught me the value of ownership. We are to treat this project as if it were our own because it is for the benefit of the community.” Catherine (Shapashina)
