A Year Later: Improved Studies and Food Production!

Before we protected the spring in Muting'ong'o Community, getting water was an arduous, time-consuming task for multiple reasons.

"Fetching water from the spring used to be very risky since I could easily fall inside the spring, which led to injuries, hence risking my life and health," said seven-year-old Duncan C.

"Lining up at the spring was an everyday occurrence since some people used a scooping jug to fetch water, while others fetched water directly from the spring using jerrycans," said farmer Irene Wakayo. "This caused conflict because some community members believed other people's containers were dirty."

People took such care fetching water because they were trying to prevent the rampant spread of water-related disease that plagued the community. But now, that worry is in the past.

"Since the water point was protected, with [the] help of [the] stairs, I have been fetching this water comfortably without having to worry of falling inside the spring," Duncan said.

"I no longer experience lining up at the spring since water is fetched directly from the pipe," Irene said. "Conflicts have reduced since there is less risk of contamination from other people's jerrycans."

With all the new time and energy, people in Muting'ong'o can spend their time in other, more productive ways.

"I now save time and use it doing my homework and also playing with other children," Duncan said. "I have also not suffered from [the] flu, which was caused by the unprotected state of the spring before. This has enabled me to focus more on building myself, especially in school, where I [have] improved in my studies."

"The time that I used to waste at the water point is now used elsewhere, such as in the garden, where I produce food for my family," Irene concluded.

With better health, more time, and improved education, life for community members is looking better every day.

Irene fills her cup with water.