A Year Later: Kumina Wauni Hand-Dug Well

A year ago, generous donors helped install a hand-dug well for the Kumina Wauni Self-Help Group in Kenya. Because of these gifts and our monthly donors, partners are able to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one from our partner Titus Mbithi with you.

Community members no longer have to walk for more than five kilometers to find water at the Yiu River. There is now a welt home in the village that has been key in providing clean drinking water for this expansive population.

Not only is this clean water enough for the people here, but cattle and other domestic animals get enough drinking water too. This water is also being used for cooking and cleaning, and homes are looking tidier than ever.

Regina Somba, chairwoman of Kumina Wauni SHG

We met the chairwoman of the self-help group, Regina Somba, at the well to talk about how this well has impacter her life. She told us, "Cases of water-related illnesses have significantly gone down as we now have access to clean drinking drinking water which has bolstered our health. Water availability is creating clean homes, healthy for our children and the family at large."

Lucy helping her mother fill a jerrycan with the clean water from the well.

12-year-old Lucy Somba came to the well to fetch a jerrycan of clean water with her mother. She said, "Now I fetch water nearer to my home. It's easy, less tiring, and fun. I only walk less than one kilometer compared to before when it was only my mum who could fetch water for the family. I feel happy helping my mum get water for the family. I have learned to wash my clothes because now mum allows me to use much water unlike before. This makes me stay clean and neat."

The Water Project and our partners are committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by monthly donors, allows us to visit communities up to four times a year. Read more about our program and how you can help.