A Year Later: Irenji Community

A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to protect Shianda Spring for Irenji 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 Jacklyne Chelagat with you.

This water project has positively impacted the lives of the people in Shianda Community. The people we recently interviewed here say that the protection of the spring has gone a long way in reducing cases of water-related diseases that frequently afflicted community members. Families now use the money that was once spent on medicine to invest in other developmental activities.

"Protecting the spring in its own way is an answered prayer that I have been interceding for since I got married in this community some 23 years ago. I can't believe my eyes. My children no longer miss school because they are healthy and energetic," said Ruth Ayoyi.

Ruth Ayoli enjoys water at the spring

It has also helped community members improve their sanitation and hygiene standards since the appointed community health volunteers visited every household to spread the news about what they learned in training last year.

Protection of 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.

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 project in Irenji is changing many lives.

Shianda Spring has helped save many lives. Seeing the great impact of clean water, the community members have taken up the responsibility of properly owning and maintaining the spring to ensure it continues to be free from contaminants.

"Protecting the spring has helped in a big way. I no longer miss class lessons, and the emergence of water and sanitation diseases is in the past," Bravin Mumala.

Bravin Mumala

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.