A Year Later: Mukhuyu Community

A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to protect Shikhanga Spring for Mukhuyu Community 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 local team member Olivia Bomji with you.

The life of community members has improved tremendously because they no longer visit hospitals to treat typhoid and cholera caused by drinking dirty water. Now, Shikhanga Spring is protected.

"This project has given us hope of living healthy again because for the past year we have been drinking clean water and our families are free from waterborne diseases," farmer Charles Ashikanga said to us.

Charles Ashikanga

They now know how to treat and store drinking water because containers are cleaned and scrubbed and have lids. Others are still practicing composting their garbage by their farms. The community members now use latrines that are cleaned every day to promote good hygiene and sanitation.

"The slabs that we were given are really nice and it has improved our hygiene because the community members now know the importance of having and using the pit latrines," Mr. Ashikanga explained.

Protection of the spring 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.

Brighton Lirumba and Charles Ashikanga

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 spring in Mukhuyu Community is changing many lives.

Brighton Liruma

"We thank you for ensuring that we can now access clean and safe water for drinking," 10-year-old Brighton Liruma said. "Our parents have more time to do other things like planting vegetables instead of looking for water as they used to do a year ago."

Mr. Ashikanga agreed and noted that he spends more of his time taking cows out to graze and working on his farm.

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.