A Year Later: "Water is now safe for drinking"

"[The] water was very dirty, more so during rainy seasons, so you had to [sieve it] using a clean cloth, and the process itself was very tiresome," said 27-year-old Jackline Atenji when describing the tedious task of collecting water from Mikalo Spring last year.

But that was before the spring was protected, and since then, things have dramatically changed for community members in Shikulu.

"[The] water is now safe for drinking. It is not exposed to agents of contamination like before," said Jackline.

"Through the help of [the] stairs, I have been able to go fetch water even during rainy seasons without sliding," said 13-year-old Kevin M.

Now that Jackline and Kevin have easy access to all the water they need, they have made strides in other ways, brightening their futures.

"I am no longer taking the cows to the farthest streams because water is now readily available," Kevin concluded.

"My savings have enabled me to venture into poultry farming, as I no longer spend money on medication for waterborne diseases," concluded Jackline.

Kevin collects water from the protected spring.