Water Matters

The latest on our work and those supporting it



Yellow Jerrycans: A Symbol of the Water Crisis


Thursday, April 10th, 2025by Olivia Chebet

Yellow jerrycans are everywhere here in Kenya. They are everywhere because when people don’t have piped water in their homes, they need something to store it in.

 

The Economic Impacts of Drought on Rural Communities


Friday, March 21st, 2025by Jamie Heminway

Drought impacts people all over the world. But where we work in Southeast Kenya, its effects — particularly, the economic effects — are devastating.

 

Stories from the Front Lines: Communities Battling Water Scarcity


Wednesday, March 12th, 2025by Jamie Heminway

Across our work area in Southeast Kenya, the struggle for water defines daily life. Here, the simple act of collecting water has become anything but simple.

 

Understanding Drought in Southeast Kenya: Causes and Effects


Wednesday, March 5th, 2025by Jamie Heminway

Drought can affect any region, but in our service areas, nowhere feels it more deeply than Southeast Kenya. The rains don’t always come when they should here.

 

Water and Justice: Why a Just Transition Must Start with Clean Water


Thursday, February 20th, 2025by Jamie Heminway

World Day of Social Justice calls attention to the need for fairness and equity. Everyone who lacks access to water has been unjustly left behind — and every water project is a step toward equity.

 

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


Monday, February 17th, 2025by Jamie Heminway

When we think of Random Acts of Kindness Day, we often picture small gestures. But kindness can also mean a life-changing gift — like providing clean, safe water.

 

The Water Crisis, Explained at Five Levels


Wednesday, February 5th, 2025by Jamie Heminway

Donors have asked us for tips on explaining the water crisis to their children. After all, we’ve seen kids do absolutely amazing things to combat water inequality, and we know how powerful their voices can be in swaying their friends, parents, and teachers to join the fight against the water crisis. Upon beginning The Water […]

 

Human Rights Day Through the Lens of Water Access


Wednesday, December 11th, 2024by Jamie Heminway

Human Rights Day, celebrated on December 10, honors the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. What role does water play in human rights?

 

A Hand Up, Not a Handout: Why Water Access Changes Everything


Wednesday, October 30th, 2024by Jamie Heminway

Imagine it’s morning. You go to brush your teeth, make coffee, or start a shower — but there’s no water. In our modern world, it’s an inconvenience, sure, but it’s solvable. If your tap runs dry, you have options: you can pick up bottled water from a store, head to a friend’s place, or even […]

 

The Multi-Sided Story of Palm Oil


Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024by Jamie Heminway

In the United States, we have a knee-jerk negative reaction to palm oil because of its negative press. People in our culture have been trained to think that palm oil is bad for our bodies and the environment.  However, in many communities around the world, including Sierra Leone, palm oil production is a crucial source […]