A Year Later: Royema Community, 804 Main Motor Road

A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to restore water to Royema Community. 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 Omoh Emmanuel with you.

Before this project, hygiene and sanitation practices were very poor. But since the intervention of the hygiene training team, people now take proper care of themselves and their surroundings. We now see handwashing stations, animal pens, enclosed kitchens, clotheslines, clean water containers, and more.

The safe, affordable, and clean water is transformative. School-going children are now getting to school on time because there is available water as soon as they need it. There have been great changes over the last year.

Rehabilitation of the 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.

Pump Caretaker Ya. Marie Sesay stands proudly in front of her community's well.

Pump Caretaker Ya. Marie Sesay told us that she is "now living in a healthy community with no sicknesses. Ya. Marie lives near the well and keeps a close eye on it to make sure rules are followed and the area stays clean. When something needs repair, we expect to hear from Ya. Marie first.

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 well in Royema is changing many lives.

Kadiatu Mansaray and Ya. Marie Sesay

17-year-old Kadiatu Mansaray is finishing her secondary school studies. Having clean, reliable water has helped her so much!

"My life has changed since the completion of the well last year, and even the community as a whole," Kadiatu said.

"As for me, my academic work and hygiene practices are improving gradually. Looking at my school challenges three years back, in terms of study, late in school and even absent, was just because of the constraint of water. I would be going to the stream to fetch water before going to school and even after school. But now I am really happy with a peaceful heart because the well is dug closer to my house. I now have enough time with my school than before!"

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.