Clean Water Access Means A Healthier Life for Mary!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Mary. Since then, she and the Sawawa Community of 175 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I have plenty of time to study, help my parents with light house chores, and later play with my friend," shared Mary.

Before the Spring Protection

Like many in Western Kenya, eleven-year-old Mary is responsible for collecting water to meet her daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole her time and negatively affected her.

A child collects water from the spring's eye, before it was protected.

Drinking the water 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 Mary, in particular, it lessened her opportunity to safely collect water without worrying about injury.

"Getting clean water on time was very challenging. The time spent waiting for [the] water to clear was too much, depriving us [of] our playing time. Slippery and muddy terrain was also dangerous to our lives because we used to fall a lot," Mary recalled.

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 Mary’s future. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.

Mary at the protected spring.

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 best thing is that I can drink water without fear that I will get sick. Also, [I] am happy that my family is now healthier than before," Mary said.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Mary and the rest of 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 Mary a crucial tool for achieving her dreams: access to clean water. Together, we can excitedly expect that with this precious resource, her enthusiasm and courage will help Mary fulfill her dreams.

"My dream is to become a teacher in [the] future, and I know by attending my classes without fail and putting more effort into my studies, I will be able to achieve that," exclaimed Mary.