A Year Later: Wasya wa Athi Hand-Dug Well

A year ago, generous donors helped install a hand-dug well for the Wasya wa Athi B Self-Help Group in Kenya. Because of these gifts and our monthly donors, partners are able to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one from our partner Titus Mbithi with you.

The community now enjoys a convenient clean water supply. Members of the group have been selling the well's clean water to earn an income. They collect more than 3,000 shillings a month, which they can then use for well maintenance and other group activities.

Field Officer Titus Mbithi stands between Elizabeth Kyalo and Mutheu Kitali, two women who feel blessed to have clean water nearby.

We met Wasya wa Athi's secretary, Elizabeth Kyalo at the well to talk about the impact it's had over the past year. She said, "We no longer walk more than six kilometers away to Athi River to find water. In this well, we have a convenient and steady clean water supply all year round. The well gives us clean drinking water for both consumption and use at the household level. Cases of waterborne diseases in our area were normal after drinking water at River Athi. But now they have decreased because we have a clean water supply from within. Many members of the community now uphold high levels of cleanliness owing to hygiene and sanitation training."

Elizabeth Kyalo using the pump to help Mutheu fill a jerrycan with clean water.

13-year-old Mutheu Kitali echoed the gratefulness for having clean water nearby. "I no longer miss school to go and fetch water at Athi for use at home. Fetching water has now become fun, as it is within our village and less than one kilometer away... compared to the long journey to Athi which took half a day. Now I can fetch as many trips without getting tired as it takes less time. Through water availability, I have now learned to wash my clothes and maintain good levels of cleanliness at a personal level."

The Water Project and our partners are committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by monthly donors, allows us to visit communities up to four times a year. Read more about our program and how you can help.