A Year Later: Ematsuli Primary School

October, 2018

Studying is Winfred Mudesia’s new favorite hobby now that she does not have to waste time fetching water each day.

A Year Later: Ematsuli Primary School


A year ago, your generous donation helped us construct a rainwater catchment tank for Ematsuli Primary School in Kenya. The contributions of incredible monthly donors and others giving directly to The Water Promise allow our local 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 local team member Wilson Kipchoge with you.


The school students and staff now enjoy living in a cleaner and greener environment full of sweet-scented flowers and trees that provide shade. With the availability of a reliable water source, they consume safe, clean drinking water. In addition, knowledge of good sanitation and better hygiene practices, like disposal of waste and handwashing with soap, is evident thanks to the training and new handwashing stations they received.

"The project has fostered a good relationship between parents and the school," Headteacher Zablon Kube said.

"Our parents were are happy about the project and wish to support any other work done at the school. Class concentration has increased and there is no time wasted by the pupils."

Headteacher Zablon Kube and student Winfred Mudesia

The Kenyan government also recognized the tank and latrines are evidence that the school is working to improve itself. So it awarded Ematsuli Primary School $7,000 to contribute towards improving the school's infrastructure. The students will benefit, even more, thanks to this project.

"There is reduced coughing because we now have a safe and reliable source of water. People regard us as organized based on the arrangement of the handwashing stations which have also promoted the culture of handwashing in our school," Mr. Kube continued.

Construction of the tank 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 tank in Ematsuli Primary School is changing many lives.

"Since we had this project last year, I don't have to carry water from home to school every morning," 15-year-old student Winfred Mudesia said.

Winfred Mudesia fetches water from the tank. The administration has built a lockbox around the tap to protect their water overnight and through the weekends.

"Studying a lot in class has become my hobby, unlike before when I wasted time going to fetch water from outside the school compound. I really enjoy drinking this safe, sweet water from the tank," she continued

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.



See The Water Project in Winfred Mudesia's Community »

When you invest in The Water Project, you're investing in people like Winfred Mudesia. Your gifts help us reach more communities with the gift of clean, safe water. And every drop helps unlock potential.

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