A Year Later: Shiamboko Community

A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to protect Oluchinji Spring for Shiamboko 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 Jemmimah Khasoha with you.

Throughout the year since the spring protection, community members here enjoyed regular access to water that is quick and easy to collect. The time that used to be spent fetching water is now spent farming, which has improved the incomes of community members.

"A change which I personally have experienced is that I no longer get to the hospital to treat my children for stomachaches," said Betty Nambiro, a member of the community we met at the spring. "The cost of treatment was high, and right now I can use the money to improve the nutrition of my children rather than spend it on medicine."

Betty Nambiro

We learned that children miss much less school due to waterborne diseases like cholera. We visited Shiamboko Community to learn about the project's impact a year later. We noticed that the homesteads are still very clean with compost pits, clotheslines, dish racks, bathrooms and handwashing stations by the latrines. This is a good indicator that the hygiene and sanitation training that accompanied the protection of the spring was successful, and that the community members were attentive.

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.

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 Shiamboko is changing many lives.

"The project has really helped in a big way," said 11-year-old Emily Amwai.

Betty Nambiro, field officer Jemmimah Khasoha, and Emily Amwai

She used to fetch water each morning before going to school. The spring is close to her school, but it was very dirty and crowded. As a result, she would waste a lot of time getting water and the process would soil her uniform before she arrived for class.

"Protecting this spring is the greatest thing that has changed my life. We no longer struggle over water and we never get dirty while getting water," she said

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.