A Year Later: Eshitowa Community

A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to drill a borehole for Eshitowa Community 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 Elizabeth Chibeu with you.

People living in Eshitowa no longer walk a long distance to find clean drinking water. The new well is nearby, and farmers now have time to concentrate on their farms and tend their livestock. Women, especially during the dry spells, had to wake up extremely early in a bid to evade congestion at their previous water points.

Some of the community members living closest to this new water point have used the water to mold bricks that they sell to local construction projects.

Mrs. Razia Sumba and many other community members came by the well during our visit.

We spoke with Razia Sumba about any other changes she has witnessed over the last year.

"Most households around this project have established small kitchen gardens for growing vegetables. They have easy access to this water, even during the dry spells," reported Mrs. Sumba.

"We no longer have conflicts that used to come with congesting at previous sources. Our people now come to fetch water here at their own convenience."

Construction of the borehole 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 well in Eshitowa is changing many lives.

Community members proudly stand with Elizabeth Chibeu at their borehole. It's already been almost one full year with water nearby!

The community remains resolute in sustaining their project. It has unlocked hope for even further development; they dream of someday upgrading their borehole into a piped water scheme so that they have the water at their doorsteps.

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.