A Year Later: Handidi Community, Matunda Spring

A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to protect Matunda Spring for Handidi 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 Olivia Bomji with you.

Ever since the spring was protected, there has been a marked improvement in hygiene and sanitation for people in Handidi Community. Our visit to a number of homesteads was proof positive of this. The various homesteads we visited had sanitation facilities such as clotheslines, latrines, and compost pits. It shows that the community members are working together to improve hygiene and sanitation, which promotes healthy living.

"We really feel blessed because we can access clean water. Before, we used to drink contaminated water," farmer Magdalyne Wasambili said to us when we visited the community and spring.

Magdalyne Wasambili

"During the rainy season, rainwater mixed with water in the unprotected spring and contaminated the supply, causing waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera. But, since you protected Matunda Spring, we have learned that water is life and clean water is health," she continued.

These changes are the result of the spring protection and the accompanying hygiene and sanitation training for community members a year ago. We are excited to stay in touch with this community and to report on their journey that has changed their lives positively - because they now know the importance of water, hygiene and sanitation.

Protection fo 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.

Magdalyne Wasambili and field officer Olivia Bomji at the spring

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 Handidi Community is changing many lives.

"Since the project was implemented, it has really helped us because we can easily access clean water for drinking and I no longer go to the hospital because of stomachaches," 10-year-old Samson Matunda said.

Samson Matunda and his mother

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.