A Year Later: Andrea Kong'o Spring

A year ago, generous donors helped protect Andrea Kong’o Spring for Shitaho Community in Western Kenya. The contributions of incredible monthly donors and others giving directly to The Water Promise allow teams to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the water project over time. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one from our partner, John Were, with you.

"We used to fetch water with a small plastic container and we would waste a lot of time waiting for the water to settle down before we made another scoop," Mrs. Agnes Lung’atso said.

"Fetching water is now a quick and enjoyable task for us!"

Thumbs up for reliable water!

Most households have installed improvised handwashing stations and placed them near toilets. This can be attributed to the hygiene and sanitation training that was conducted in the community when their spring was being protected. The community is now practicing handwashing after visiting the toilet.

"I am very grateful to the water project for protecting our spring," Gentrix Muhonja, a 19-year-old girl, said.

"Initially, one would come with up to 50 jerricans to the spring and spend almost 3 hours filling them. sometimes we would go back home without fetching water and many fights would arise at the spring. Fetching water now is quick and we never lack water at home."

Joan Were with Jentrix Muhonja at the spring

Protection of this spring is only one step along the journey toward sustainable access to clean water. The Water Project and WEWASAFO (our trusted local partner) are committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by donors like you, allows us to maintain our relationships with communities by visiting up to 4 times each year to ensure that the water points are safe and reliable.

This is just one of the many ways that we monitor projects and communicate with you. Additionally, you can always check the functionality status and our project map to see how all of our water points are performing, based on our consistent monitoring data.

One project is just a drop in the bucket towards ending the global water crisis, but the ripple effects of this project are truly astounding. This functional spring in Shitaho Community is changing many lives.

The protection of this spring has encouraged the economic growth of the area. Availability of water has enabled the community to construct hostels that are occupied by university students.

This is only possible because of the web of support and trust built between The Water Project, WEWASAFO, the community, and you. We are excited to stay in touch with this community and support their journey with safe water.

Read more about The Water Promise and how you can help.