A Year Later: Kidinye Community

A year ago, generous donors helped protect Wamwaka Spring for Kidinye Community in Western Kenya. The contributions of incredible monthly donors and others giving directly to The Water Promise allow 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 Jacqueline Shigali with you.

There is an incredible improvement in hygiene and sanitation here. Compounds are clean with utensils dried on dish racks and clothes hung on wire lines to dry - instead of on the ground, rooftops, fences or shrubs as witnessed before the project. Water containers are now clean and covered with lids and the houses are mopped to keep dust away. The construction work at the spring is very attractive to the eyes, and the people of Kidinye are so proud of having the most beautiful spring in the whole area.

Eugene Ngatha, an 11-year-old boy, says he can now sit and concentrate in school, and this has led to increased performance in examinations. He has never fallen sick since completion of construction of Wamwaka Spring, and as a result, he has not missed a single day of school. Absenteeism has also decreased at Kidinye primary and secondary schools - whose children fetch water from this source to use at home.

Completion of the spring protection is only one step along the journey toward sustainable access to clean water. The Water Project and WEWASAFO (our trusted local partner) are 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 continue to be 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.

"The coming together of the community during the construction phase helped foster a peace and unity that had never been experienced in this community before," Mr. Jamin Alumasa, the secretary of the water user committee, said.

"A strong relationship has been created among the village dwellers as they come together to clean the water point and discuss matters concerning their spring. This unity has gone beyond management of the spring area to joint action and support of one another during various functions and ceremonies in the community."

This functional spring protection in Kidinye is changing many lives. This is only possible because of the web of support and trust built between The Water Project, WEWASAFO, 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.