Clean Water Builds Sharon's Self-Confidence!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Sharon. Since then, she and the Chimoroni Secondary School community of 931 students have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I rarely get sick since we now have clean water to drink and cook," said Sharon.

Before the Well Installation

Like many children in Kenya, 17-year-old Sharon is responsible for collecting water to meet her and her family’s daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, that task stole her time and negatively affected her.

Students previously had to wait in long lines and travel long distances to collect water.

Limited accessibility to water meant students wasted time collecting sufficient water to meet the school's needs and less time in class. When they had to leave the school campus to search for water the difficult journey sapped their physical and emotional energy, creating roadblocks. For Sharon, in particular, it left her exhausted.

"We had to share our water source with the primary section and community. This would cause commotion at the standpipes, [and] sometimes we would miss water totally and we would be really sad," shared Sharon.

Since the Well Installation

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

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

Sharon with other students and school staff at the well.

"Clean water improves personal health [and] prevents water-related diseases. As a girl with clean water, I am more at ease [and I] am positive I will have no infections from water," said Sharon.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Sharon and the rest of her school 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 the system hardware, track water availability, conduct sanitary inspections, and collect water quality samples to identify risks. We work with our team on the ground to resolve them.

You gave Sharon 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 her fulfill her dreams.

"My academic performance has improved since the waterpoint was installed. I am neat [and]  I have clean uniforms which boosts my self-esteem, thus I concentrate better in my studies and my mind is at ease. When I am not in class I take part in extracurricular activities like school games and clubs. In the agricultural club, I have a small farm where I have vegetables I tend to," said Sharon.

When we asked Sharon about her dreams for the future she said, "I would like to be a president or be in a position of power where I can effect real change, [and] ensure all schools and institutions get basic needs, water included."

Sharon watering plants.