Zakia Starts Small Businesses to Support Her Family

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Zakia. Since then, she and the Buloma Community, with a population of 350, have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I like that the water is clean, safe, and easy to access!" said Zakia.

Before the Spring Protection

Like many women in Western Kenya, 25-year-old farmer Zakia Shiroya is responsible for collecting water to meet her family's daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole her time and negatively affected her.

The spring before protection.

Drinking water from the previous water source caused severe consequences. Many in the community suffered from waterborne diseases that created health problems, affecting their daily lives. Limited accessibility also meant people wasted time collecting sufficient water to meet their needs. The difficult journey to collect water sapped their physical and emotional energy, creating roadblocks. For Zakia, it consumed so much of her time that it reduced her ability to complete her daily tasks.

"Before this water point was completed, collecting water was very difficult. The source was overcrowded, so we spent a lot of time waiting in line. The water source was also contaminated, and we worried about our children getting sick from using unsafe water. Fetching water every day was tiring and stressful," recalled Zakia.

Since the Spring Protection

Your generous gift last year was much more than a simple donation; it was a powerful statement about your commitment to this community and Zakia’s future. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.

Reliable and clean water lays the groundwork for improved health, education, and economic possibilities, allowing people to thrive. We frequently hear from those we interview that "water is life!"

"The water point is not overcrowded, so I can fetch water quickly and return home to take care of my family and other responsibilities. It has reduced stress and made life easier for us," said Zakia.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Zakia and her community. This is just the first chapter of their story as access to clean water continues to improve their lives!

At The Water Project, we value sustainability and want to ensure that people continue to thrive. We commit to monitoring this project to ensure the water is always flowing and safe to consume. We inspect system hardware, monitor water availability, conduct sanitary inspections, and collect water-quality samples to identify risks. We work with our on-the-ground team to resolve them.

You gave Zakia a crucial tool for achieving her dreams: access to clean water. Together, we can be confident that, with this precious resource, her enthusiasm and courage will help her fulfill her dreams.

"Since this project was implemented, my family has gotten sick less often because we now use clean and safe water. I have more time and energy because I no longer spend many hours looking for water. I am now able to focus more on caring for my children, doing household work, and participating in community activities that I could not manage before," Zakia said.

"In the past year, reliable water has helped me accomplish many things. I started a small garden at home, began a soap-making business, and improved my family's daily life. Having clean water nearby has given me more time and opportunities to work on projects that support my family," Zakia celebrated.

"Clean water changes everyday life completely. It brings health, saves time, reduces stress, and gives families opportunities to work, care for their children, and plan for a better future," Zakia declared.