A Year Later: Kyusyani Hand-Dug Well

A year ago, generous donors helped build a hand-dug well for the Kyusyani 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 partners Joseph Kioko and Titus Mbithi with you.

Over a year ago, people used to walk 15 kilometers to find clean water. If they couldn't make this journey themselves, then they would buy it off of others who could. Thanks to this project, everything changed. Water is now within a half of a kilometer, and it takes less than 30 minutes to get clean water and return home.

Mrs. Priscilla Nduni met us at the well to talk about how well it's served them over the last year. She said, "When it rains really heavily, the well provides us with water all year round." This area of Kenya only sees a heavy rain only once or twice a year. Thanks to an adjacent sand dam, rainwater is stored in the sand and supplies the community with more than enough clean water from this hand-dug well.

Mrs. Nduni getting clean water from the well.

Mrs. Nduni also mentioned that even during the dry season, if rationed, everyone can irrigate a portion of their farms. "During the dry season, a lot of people troop here for water... so there's a bit of waiting when the demand is high," she said.

Kitonga Mwova

Kitonga Mwova was also at the well to fetch some water. We asked him what change stood out the most to him. He replied, "We now fetch water near our homes. It is way easier than walking 15 kilometers to River Tyaa. I now fetch my three liters to carry to school for drinking and cooking."

After hearing that both Ktonga and Mrs. Nduni agree that the well takes longer to recharge during the dry months, the field officer thinks that we should dig this well deeper. The best time to do that will be during the dry season itself, allowing for easy digging and an accurate view of how much more water we've really unearthed.

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.