A Year Later: Yavili Sand Dam

December, 2017

But since the project implementation, access to water has become easy, providing clean water from a trusted source and from a short distance.

A Year Later: Yavili Sand Dam


A year ago, generous donors helped build a sand dam for the Yavili 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.


This sand dam has supported the community with water that has transformed the environment. It has brought clean water so much closer, from an initial seven kilometers away to under one kilometer. Thanks to the proximity of clean water, community members are able to spend more time earning an income and caring for their families.

And thanks to the surplus of water this sand dam provides, the adjacent well is able to pump clean, safe water from the catchment area. Though community members were trained on water handling and water treatment, we've noticed that they would benefit from a review.

We met two community members at the dam when we visited; Mrs. Nduku Kyalo and 8-year-old Manzi Muthike, both who highlight their gratefulness for finally having water nearby.

The sand dam looms before Mrs. Kyalo, who is unlocking the hand-dug well. A community member must retrieve the key from the caretaker when they intend to fetch water.

Mrs. Kyalo said that she would practically "sleep in rivers looking for water! But since the project implementation, access to water has become easy, providing clean water from a trusted source and from a short distance." Women like Mrs. Kyalo and children like Manzia are still the family members most responsible for water, and this change has made their lives much easier.

Mwanzia added, "Now we fetch water nearer to our home, I usually run to the well. It takes me less than ten minutes to get back home, compared to the initial one hour which used to be tiring!" Now that Mwanzia saves time and energy, he can apply that to his academic studies at school.

Field Officer Titus Mbithi interviewing Mwanzia.

And as this sand dam continues to mature through more rainy seasons, it will build up more sand and store even more clean water that makes the environment greener and human lives healthier.


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.



See The Water Project in Nduku Kyalo's Community »

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