A year ago, generous donors helped construct a rainwater catchment tank and new latrines for Matende Girls High School in 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 Jacklyne Chelagat with you.
The lives of the students in this school have improved to a great extent. Before the implementation of the project, the girls really suffered - especially those who lived as boarding students. They consumed dirty, unsafe water bought from water vendors. This rainwater catchment tank enables them to access to clean and safe water, thus improving their health. In addition, the training equipped the school with adequate information on how to uphold proper hygiene standards.
"The installed facilities have gone a long way in improving sanitation in the school," Deputy Principal Rodesia Takaundo said.
"Before we got the tank, students would only wash a few days a week, but now they can wash daily. The school is cleaner and has gone a long way in improving the academic performance of the students."
Word of the successes brought by the new tank is traveling throughout the community. Student enrollment grew from 495 to 550 in the past year - proof of the value of safe, reliable water.
Construction of the tank 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 tank in Matende Girls High School is changing many lives.
"I joined this school some three years ago," 17-year-old boarding student Claire Amakove said.
"I did experience an insufficient supply of clean and safe water that was an impediment towards performing better in school. Many times did we go to class without bathing. The implementation of the project ended my worries and anxiety of how I will access clean water. All this has given me a chance to concentrate more on my studies and perform well in all subjects."
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.