A Day in the Life: Moms of WASH

This Mothers’ Day, The Water Project celebrates the many women we work with who are also moms, whether their children are just arrived, already making families of their own, or somewhere in between. Here, we highlight a few of these incredible women who pour their passion, dedication, and commitment not just into their roles at work, but as mothers.

Susan Alobo, Construction and Maintenance Supervisor, Uganda

“I always have a plan for the tasks that I have to accomplish at my workplace which is from Monday to Friday. However, over the weekends, I spend most of my time at home attending to my family, preparing meals for my children, and washing clothes. Sometimes I do take a walk outside with my children in the evening when we get bored at home.”

Susan supervises drilling at a well construction site.

Susan at home with her three children.

Lillian Achieng’, Field Officer, Kenya

Lillian has breakfast with her family at home, including some of her own baked goods.

Fatmata Kalokoh, Hygiene and Sanitation Trainer, Sierra Leone

Fatmata leads a training at a well surrounded by students.

Fatmata walks her son to school in the morning before work. 

Terry Fanice, Community Engagement Officer, Kenya

“In 2018, the Menstrual Hygiene Management Education Program took off. Six schools benefited from the program that year, and over 300 girls participated in the training. The most fulfilling part of this program was when I integrated boys into the training and their reaction after they got to learn what girls go through during puberty. It was fulfilling to get to answer burning questions from the girls and boys and to provide a very rare opportunity for them to learn and get to understand better menstruation.”

“It is amazing to get to know that finally, the girls and boys have someone that they can freely open to and talk to and ask questions that they shy away from asking their parents or teachers in school. The distribution of sanitary towels to the neediest schools as we mark Menstrual Hygiene Day was also a great awakening to me. As a Community Engagement Officer at The Water Project, I can confidently state that working in this particular program of Menstrual Health Education was the most rewarding experience of my career, ever, since I started working.”

Terry assists a community member by helping him put on a new face mask.

Terry with her family outside their home.

Zainab Y. Sesay, Hygiene and Sanitation Coordinator, Sierra Leone

Zainab leads a training in a community.

Zainab with her son on their way to work and school, respectively.

Joan Were, Operations Manager, Kenya

“I aspire to get a post-graduate certification in project management by enrolling in evening classes. I’m excited about the opportunity to work with a mentor and immerse myself in learning new skills. In the long term, I see myself taking on as many complex assignments as the position would allow and develop the necessary expertise in WASH.”

“I hope to see the lives of women and school-going girls in western Kenya changed for the better through access to clean and safe water sources. This can be achieved through a commitment to implementing water projects while adhering to saturation and uptime of water points. Saturation will ensure that women and school-going girls will be able to take a walk of less than one kilometer to access water – a privilege I never had while growing up and also while attending school.”

Joan conducts a waterpoint survey by phone from her home office.

Joan with her mother outside their home.

Catherine Chepkemoi, Executive Director, Kenya (Kakamega)

Catherine (center) supervises an artisan checking his measurements on a protected spring under construction.

Catherine at home with her two daughters, Precious and Kayla.

Betty Muhongo Likhanga, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Kenya

“Currently, I am one of the Monitoring and Evaluation Officers who have been tasked with the duty to plan for the school and protected springs monitoring survey visits. This is rolled out quarterly whereby my team has to come up with a plan outlining the list of stations to be visited and who is to visit them. I also visit the schools and protected springs to find out how each project is serving the users. And if there is any major problem or concern, then this is reported to the Operation and Maintenance team to take necessary action. If there is no problem, then the community/school is encouraged to continue taking care of the facility.”

Betty (front) carries grass to be planted at a spring under construction.

Betty at home with her three sons, twins Jeremy and Jerry, and youngest Jaylon

Emmah Nambuye, Executive Director, Kenya (Mumias East)

“I love networking and learning different things from people and making their lives better. I do love reading, farming, (I have a small kitchen garden), organizing events, and I love serving people – it gives me some fulfillment. I am also a football fan. My favorite teams are Chelsea (Manchester United and Arsenal) and I have fans (my sons!) of the Kenyan national team, the Harambee Stars, and my home team, the AFC Leopards – Ingwee!”

Emmah directs work at a protected spring.

Emmah plays with the youngest of her three children, Naomi.

Jacklyne Chelagat, Trainings Manager, Kenya

Jacklyne helps her sons Trevor and Stan with handwashing at home.