A Year Later: Eluhobe Community

A year ago, generous donors helped protect a spring for Eluhobe Community in 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 – and we’re excited to share this one from Erick Wagaka with you.

The community has a deep love for their protected spring. They opened up drainage channels in January to direct possible flood waters away during the rainy season.

"It is now so easy for us to get water from the spring," Michael Omuchina, a 12-year-old boy said.

"Before it was constructed, my mother used to send me to the spring but with the instruction to be careful and not to draw the dirt in the water. However, I no longer have to worry because the spring now gushes out clean water, continually."

Protection of the spring is only one step along the journey toward sustainable access to clean water. The Water Project is 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 spring in Eluhobe is changing many lives.

The access to clean and safe water from the spring has helped reduce incidences of waterborne diseases. As a result, children go to school without fear of contracting diseases. They carry the spring water to drink while at school and get the same water for use at home.

"Since the spring was protected, more students are staying in school and absenteeism is down due to the decrease in diarrhea caused by waterborne diseases," Mr. Jazron Amakobe, a member of the Water User Committee for the spring, said.

"This has led to an improved performance by students and a rejuvenated their quest for academic excellence. This is possible because of the available clean water from the spring and information on proper hygiene and sanitation that we learned during the training."

This is only possible because of the web of support and trust built between The Water Project, our local teams, 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.