A Year Later: Luyeshe Community

A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to protect Simwa Spring for Luyeshe 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 Jonathan Mutai with you.

The community members living in Luyeshe now access safe, clean water. The water is free from contamination, unlike before when the water point was exposed to all sorts of pollution. Thankfully, the water catchment area has been sealed off and protected.

"Now, drawing water is more enjoyable than before. The water is very clean and we are using very little of our time to fetch it," said 10-year-old Mercy Simwa.

Mercy Simwa

Waterborne diseases reported in the area earlier have drastically decreased. That means students like Mercy miss school less often. Besides that, sanitation and hygiene in the area has also improved as a result of the training that took place alongside the protection of the spring.

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 Luyeshe Community is changing many lives.

"We are very happy with the project you constructed for us," said Simon Simwa during a recent visit to the spring.

Simion Simwa

"The time we wasted in drawing water before has greatly reduced. Besides that, waterborne diseases that were rampant in the area have also reduced as a result of the protection of Simwa Spring."

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.