A Year Later: Shitungu Community

A year ago, generous donors helped protect Hussein Spring for Shitungu Community in Western 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 – we’re excited to share this one from our partner, Lillian Achieng, with you.

Clean water has brought a new cohesion to the community, with every person being concerned with the care and sustainability of their spring protection. They now believe in working together. The community members have kept the spring clean and in good condition, most demonstrated by their effort to repair a broken pipe without even involving our organization.

"Since the spring was protected, we now have clean drinking water. We no longer crowd with our tins to scoop water from the ground like before instead we line up since the water is flowing," Abigael Ayuma, a 17-year-old girl, said.

"Hygiene in our compounds and houses has also improved since our parents received training when the project was implemented."

It is evident from their personal hygiene that the training on sanitation and hygiene was beneficial to them. The containers for fetching drinking water are clean too.

"The sanitation platforms have also encouraged sanitation and hygiene since the beneficiaries can use the latrines comfortably and can also clean them using the water," Mr. Hussein Rajab, a village elder, said.

Protection of this spring is only one step along the journey toward sustainable access to clean water. The Water Project and WEWASAFO (our trusted local partner) are 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.

"Community members especially the children used to suffer from waterborne diseases but that is no longer the case since the spring was protected," Mr. Rajab said.

This functional spring in Shitungu Community is changing many lives. This is only possible because of the web of support and trust built between The Water Project, WEWASAFO, 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.