A Year Later: Shitungu Community, Mmbone Spring

A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to protect Mmbone Spring for Shitungu 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 Mary Afandi with you.

Before Mmbone Spring was protected last year, the water was unsafe. It was open to contaminants from people washing clothes in it and wild animals. The unprotected spring was heavily infested with algae.

After the protection of the spring and the hygiene and sanitation training carried out for members of the community, several changes have taken place. First and foremost, the water is now clear and safe for human consumption.

"The water from the protected spring is clean and safe. It takes a shorter time to fetch water from the protected spring as opposed to before," said Judith Mumani, a 17-year-old girl we met during our recent visit.

Community members are caring for the area around the protected spring - keeping away potential contaminants. As a result, there is a reported reduction in waterborne diseases in Shitungu Community.

"The state of cleanliness at the spring has improved because the community has embraced the protected spring," said Josephine Mmbone.

Judith Mumani, Josephine Mmbone, and their friends at the spring

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 project in Shitungu is changing many lives.

"The water flow is reliable," Ms. Mmbone said. "The members of the community now draw clean and safe water from the protected spring."

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.