A Year Later: Mbuuni Community

September, 2018

John Muia can now go out and fetch water on his own since the new hand-dug well is just a short walk from his home. Most importantly, he and his family are not drinking from open and contaminated scoop holes!

A Year Later: Mbuuni Community


A year ago, generous donors helped construct a sand dam and hand-dug well for Mbuuni Community 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 Joe Kioko with you.


Members of Mbuuni Community no longer struggle with digging scoop holes at Thwake River to find water to use at their homes and for watering their livestock. The sand dam and shallow well system provides the community with clean water throughout the year.

"Since last year, I have been able to walk to the shallow well with a 5-liter jerrycan to fetch water by myself. Before where it was only my mom who would fetch water for us, because of the long distance to the source," John Muia, a 6-year-old boy, said.

Construction of the dam and well 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 dam well in Mbuuni is changing many lives.

"Fetching water has been simplified since I no longer dig scoop holes or wait for hours in long queues. Water availability has freed up more time for me which I now use on my farm," Immaculate Muia said.

She said the availability of water has made it easier to ensure her children's school uniforms are clean. And it also led her to plant trees at her home for shade, fruit, and timber.

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.



See The Water Project in John Muia's Community »

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