Random Acts of Kindness Day: The Psychological Benefits of Clean Water

When we think of Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17th, we often picture small gestures — buying a coffee for a stranger, offering a kind word, or holding the door open for someone. But kindness can also mean something much bigger. It can be a life-changing gift — like providing clean, safe water to someone who has never had it before.

The simple act of turning on a tap, something many take for granted, is an unthinkable luxury for millions of people. And without it, the psychological toll of scarcity can be overwhelming. Safe, reliable sources of water lift away invisible burdens that the people we serve carry every day — the stress, exhaustion, and mental strain of living without reliable access to safe water. 

This Random Acts of Kindness Day, we’re looking beyond the physical benefits of clean water to explore how it restores peace of mind, relieves stress, and brings hope to those who receive it.

The Psychological Benefits of Clean Water

Access to clean water is often discussed in terms of its physical benefits — better health, stronger communities, and increased economic opportunities. But one crucial aspect is often overlooked: the profound impact clean water has on mental well-being.

The constant uncertainty of where to get safe water, the hours spent walking long distances, and the illnesses that come from drinking contaminated water all contribute to mental distress. When clean, reliable water becomes available, it not only restores physical health but also offers something just as vital — peace of mind, dignity, and hope.

When essential resources like clean water are scarce, the brain shifts into survival mode. Research on scarcity shows that it taxes cognitive resources, narrowing focus to immediate needs while diminishing long-term planning and problem-solving abilities. This phenomenon, known as tunneling, makes it difficult for individuals to think beyond their next trip to collect water, leaving little mental bandwidth for education, work, or personal well-being.

A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that people experiencing scarcity exhibit reduced connectivity in the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and impulse control. This can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and fatigue, as people are forced to make difficult trade-offs every day. The constant strain also affects social relationships, increasing tensions in communities as individuals compete for limited resources.

Below, we share the stories of three individuals whose lives have been shaped by water — two still struggling under the weight of scarcity, and one whose life has changed thanks to access to clean water.

“Water is like the air I breathe.”

In Yanzui Maithya Community, 55-year-old Musyimi is facing an uphill battle — literally. Water is essential to his livelihood as a farmer, but his only options are a distant well and a solar water kiosk, both miles away, across hilly, dry terrain.

“Water is a necessity to me. It is like the air I breathe, and without it, I’m no more. The distance is very long, and at my age, I can only climb that hill for two trips,” Musyimi shared.

The exhaustion from fetching water every day leaves him drained, both physically and emotionally. Without enough time or energy left, his farm suffers, and so does his sense of independence. But when asked what life would be like with accessible water, Musyimi’s answer revealed that he has dreamed of getting clean water for a long, long time.

“I could sit quietly with my thoughts, perhaps even enjoy a moment of peace with a cup of tea. My mornings would be filled with possibility. With the hours I’d save, I could cultivate a garden, grow vegetables and flowers, and create a beautiful space for my family.”

Musyimi’s vision goes beyond survival. He dreams of peace, creativity, and joy — things that are almost impossible when water scarcity dictates every moment of his day.

A new sand dam and shallow well in Musyimi’s community will give him mental and emotional freedom, time to reflect, and the ability to work toward a future where his family can thrive.

“Drinking water that harms is like taking an arrow and piercing the heart.”

Imagine getting sick from the very water you rely on, but having no choice but to drink it again the next day — knowing full well it could harm you again.

This is Jane’s reality.

As a community health worker, Jane educates others about seeking medical care, yet she herself recently fell severely ill with typhoid from drinking contaminated water at her community’s unprotected spring.

“I just can’t believe what happened to me. My body had [a] high fever, above normal, which made me to sweat intensely and lose a lot of water. For the first time in my life, I was diagnosed with typhoid. …My case really taught me lessons. I had [to] pay a significant amount of money to be well, which really [had an] impact on my family budget.”

The irony is painful: she knows the risks better than anyone. She understands the cost of waterborne disease, both financially and physically. And yet, she has no choice but to continue drinking from the same contaminated source every single day.

“Drinking water that harms is like taking an arrow and piercing the heart; it is really painful,” Jane said.

What toll does that take on the psyche — to knowingly consume something harmful simply because there is no other option?

“Serving as a community health volunteer, my main duty is visiting community members to assess their health situation and recommend them to seek attention from health care facilities,” Jane explained. “As a result of being sick because of water-related illnesses, I cannot move around, meaning that I will not meet my target and also not earn a living. No work, no pay.”

Without a protected, reliable water source, Jane is caught in an exhausting cycle of illness, anxiety, and lost opportunity.

“Living with clean water can see communities living in harmony and peace.”

For Faith, the struggle for water once dictated every part of her daily life. As a 16-year-old girl in Kenya, she was responsible for collecting water for her family: an exhausting and often dangerous task.

“Our water was not easy to collect,” Faith said. “We could scoop several times to fill a container. People would sometimes crowd and fight for the water, especially during the dry season. It wasn’t an enjoyable activity. Every scoop meant dirty water getting into my container. The tedious act would leave one exhausted even before carrying the water home.”

The unprotected spring was a source of tension in the community. Fights would break out. The physical struggle of fetching water drained Faith’s energy and made it harder for her to focus on school and her future dreams. Worse, the water itself wasn’t even safe to drink, making illness a constant fear.

But then, everything changed.

Last year, we installed a protected water source in Faith’s community. And the new safe, reliable water source brought peace, security, and mental freedom into Faith’s life.

“I no longer worry about safety when fetching water because I know people will not fight at the waterpoint again. No elderly person or young child will trip and fall due to poor terrain or lack of stairs. We all can access water easily and safely.”

Now, Faith enjoys a simple joy she never thought possible: walking up to a clean water source, filling her container quickly, and moving on with her day without fear or exhaustion.

“Right now, it’s so easy to fetch water. I enjoy walking into a clean spring that has fresh and safe water flowing freely.”

With her mental energy no longer consumed by the stress of water collection, Faith is now focused on her education and her future. She dreams of attending university and returning to her community to empower young girls by ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive.

“Living with clean water can see communities living in harmony and peace. I have seen this water point bring peace and love between our community and the neighboring communities. When the water was dirty and scarce, we used to fight over it, but now it’s clean and safe and readily available, so we live in peace. Clean water is peace!”

The Mental Relief of Clean Water

For Musyimi, water means peace.

For Jane, water means purpose.

For Faith, water means security and hope.

This Random Acts of Kindness Day, let’s remember that clean water is one of the greatest kindnesses we can offer our fellow humans. It is a gift that restores health, eases burdens, and brings hope to those who need it most.

If you’re thinking of offering your own act of kindness today, please consider donating to help bring clean water to Musyimi, Jane, or hundreds of others waiting for their chance at safe, reliable water through The Water Project.

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