A Year Later: "Getting water from this water point has become so enjoyable."

Before we protected Makhwabuyu Community's spring last year, community members had the tiresome chore of collecting water from unprotected sources that often left them suffering with water-related illnesses.

"We were very worried about the safety of the water. There were algae everywhere in the water. The dogs and cows were drinking [from] the same pond," said 13-year-old Cynthia A.

But once the spring was protected, things changed for community members.

"Getting water from this water point has become so enjoyable. Sometimes we collect water for home use before heading to school, and I am never worried of getting to school [late] because fetching water has become so fast and quick," said Cynthia.

With water collection being faster, hygiene and sanitation practices also became easier for community members.

"Improved cleanliness of self and that of my family [and] improved health [with] low cases of water-related diseases have been recorded," concluded Cynthia.

Cynthia (in pink) waiting to collect water.