A Year Later: Matheani Secondary School

A year ago, your generous donation helped us construct a rainwater catchment tank for Matheani Secondary School 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 Titus Mbithi with you.

The school has been enjoying an adequate clean water supply for cooking, washing, and cleaning since the implementation of the water project. The school is saving a significant amount of money initially spent on purchasing water for the school. Now, this money is being utilized to support academic-related activities such as the purchase of new books sets for the library.

This water supply has been especially useful for boarding students.

Cases of students suffering from water-related diseases have also significantly gone down since the available water is clean.

We talked to Teacher Hilda Muumbi and her student, Peter Kiilu, about some of the other changes they have witnessed over the last year.

From left to right: Peter Kiilu, Titus Mbithi, and Hilda Muumbi

"We have enjoyed a steady supply of clean water from the water project for the last one year," confirmed Teacher Muumbi.

"This has enabled the smooth running of our routine with minimal interruptions. The health status of the school community has significantly improved with cases of water-related diseases among students becoming few."

Teacher Muumbi taking a sip of water at the tank.

Teacher Muumbi continued, "The tank has been used as a teaching aid with students getting to learn from the hygiene messages inscribed on the walls. This is helping promote good standards of personal hygiene and general cleanliness in school."

Construction of the rainwater catchment 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 at Matheani Secondary is changing many lives.

The handwashing stations have plenty of water for the students.

"The water project has provided us with adequate clean water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning. Availability of enough clean water from the water tank has led to improved levels of hygiene and sanitation in school as students wash hands before meals and after visiting latrines," said Peter Kiilu.

"Life in school has become more fun and full of joy with the classes and latrines being clean, the learning is smooth, with high levels of concentration."

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.