A Year Later: Mukhombe Primary School

A year ago, generous donors helped construct a rainwater catchment tank for Mukhombe Primary Schooly 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 Lillian Achieng with you.

This school community has embraced the practice of handwashing as a result of the training and handwashing stations that we provided last year. Sheila Alili, a standard six pupil tells us that she is a "professional handwasher." She is using the ten-point handwashing skills to wash her hands at all the important times.

"I am a happy girl in school now," Sheila said.

In addition to improved sanitation and hygiene, she and the rest of the students have a reliable water source to meet their daily needs. This is having a profound impact on the school, including a steadily increasing student population as a result of this project.

Sheila Alili

"Our school staff use this water to cook their meals and we also drink it and use it to wash our classrooms and toilets. We no longer fetch water from home for school."

Installation 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 Mukhombe Primary School is changing many lives.

"Previously, we experienced water-related diseases, especially among the pupils. But now, that has stopped since the construction of the tank which provides us with clean and safe drinking water," Teacher Julius Phenehas said.

Julius Phenehas and Sheila Alili

"The pupils are doing better than before since they can now concentrate in class."

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.