A Brighter Future Flows: Winifred’s Story of Change at Kavaini Secondary School!

Your gift unlocked Winifred's potential for a brighter future last year. Since then, she and the 323 students at Kavaini Secondary School have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"The best thing is the peace of mind it brings. We no longer have to worry about water shortages or delays. Students can drink clean water whenever they need to, meals are prepared on time, and the school environment is cleaner and more comfortable."

Before the Rain Tank Installation

Like many teachers in Kenya, 35-year-old Winifred Bernard supervises water collection to meet the school's daily water needs. This task stole her time before last year’s water intervention and negatively affected her and her students.

Students hauled water from their old, small tank before their new rain tank was implemented.

Drinking the water caused severe consequences. Many in the community suffered from waterborne diseases that created health problems, affecting their daily lives. Limited accessibility also meant people wasted time collecting sufficient water to meet their needs. The difficult journey to collect water sapped their physical and emotional energy, creating roadblocks. For Winifred, in particular, her heart broke watching her students suffer daily without sufficient clean water.

"Last year, water scarcity was a major challenge for our school. The plastic rainwater tanks were insufficient; thus, we relied on purchasing water from a water bowser, which was not only expensive but also unreliable. There were times when the water supply would be delayed, leaving students and staff struggling to meet their basic needs. The purchased water was salty, making it unsuitable for drinking and cooking. We would ration the available water, which negatively impacted hygiene and sanitation —students had to use foul-smelling latrines, classrooms remained dusty, and maintaining cleanliness was difficult. The situation affected students' concentration, comfort, and overall learning experience. It was heartbreaking to see students struggle in such an uncomfortable environment," shared Ms. Bernard.

Since the Rain Tank Installation

Your generous gift last year was much more than a simple donation; it was a powerful statement about your commitment to this school and Winifred. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.

Reliable and clean water lays the groundwork for improved health, education, and economic possibilities, allowing people to thrive. We frequently hear from those we interview that "water is life!"

"As teachers, we now work in a much better environment. Before, we had to constantly worry about water shortages, which affected our ability to maintain hygiene and conduct practical lessons. With the water tank in place, our workload has eased—cleaning is more manageable, the students are healthier and more focused, and we can teach agriculture effectively. We spend less time and effort rationing water, which allows us to focus more on teaching," she exclaimed.

Teacher Winifred Bernard in front of the new rain tank.

Clean water access on campus has improved the students' experiences as well!

"The students’ lives have improved significantly. They now have clean water to drink throughout the day, which keeps them hydrated and improves their concentration in class. Delayed meals are no longer an issue, so they have the energy to focus on their studies. The classrooms and toilets are cleaner, making the learning environment more comfortable. Agriculture lessons are now more practical because we can water crops, allowing students to gain hands-on experience," Ms. Bernard continued.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Ms. Bernard and the rest of her school. This is just the first chapter of their story as access to clean water continues to improve their lives!

At The Water Project, we value sustainability and want to ensure that people continue to thrive. We commit to monitoring this project to ensure the water is always flowing and safe to consume. We inspect the system hardware, track water availability, conduct sanitary inspections, and collect water quality samples to identify risks. We work with our team on the ground to resolve them.

You gave Winifred a crucial tool for achieving her dreams: access to clean water. Together, we can excitedly expect that with this precious resource, her enthusiasm and courage will help fulfill her dreams.

With the upgrades they've accomplished in the last year, Winifred has much to share about the future potential.

"First and foremost, I’m incredibly proud of how much we’ve improved hygiene and sanitation. Before, it was heartbreaking to see students forced to use foul-smelling latrines and sit in dusty classrooms, but now our school is a cleaner, healthier place. We renovated the teachers' toilets, and students have become more conscious about personal hygiene. You can see the difference—even in their confidence! Another major achievement is how we've brought life back to our school environment. We hope to continue expanding our agricultural projects and further enhance the school environment."