A Year Later: Mbindi Community

A year ago, generous donors helped build a hand-dug well and sand dam for the Mbindi Self-Help Group 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 – we’re excited to share this one from our partner Joe Kioko with you.

The area surrounding the water point has been transformed from brown to an attractive green thanks to the availability of water for a better part of the year. Water access in the whole village has greatly improved through the construction of a sand dam and a shallow well.

Francis Nzioki

"Clean water has been brought close to us through the shallow well and this has made our lives easier. We now have enough water at home for the washing of clothes, bathing, drinking, cooking, watering our livestock, cleaning our houses and latrines," Mr. Francis Nzioki said.

"All that was not a luxury in the past."

He noted the improved taste of the well water and so did 13-year-old Kioko Mutuku.

"I enjoy fetching water from the shallow well with a 10-liter jerrican, unlike before when I had to walk with a donkey. Water is now available near our home, the pumping is fun, and takes less time compared to walking to scoop holes," Mutuku said.

Kioko Mutuku

The well provides the community with clean water throughout the year. Some members of the group started individual vegetable farms that boosted their incomes and improved their living standards.

Installation of the well and dam is only one step along the journey toward sustainable access to clean water. The Water Project and Africa Sand Dam Foundation (ASDF) are 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 functional spring in Mbindi Community is changing many lives. This is not possible without the web of support and trust built between The Water Project, ASDF, 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.