Clean Water Means More Time for Learning for Shavel!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Shavel. Since then, she and the Ivugwi Community of 180 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I'm very happy that clean water flows in our spring and in plenty," said Shavel.

Before the Spring Protection

Like many children in Kenya, 8-year-old Shavel 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 ability to attend school regularly.

The spring before protection.

Drinking the water caused severe consequences. Many in her community suffered from waterborne diseases that created health problems, affecting their daily lives. Limited accessibility also meant people wasted time trying to collect sufficient water to meet their needs. The difficult journey to collect water sapped their physical and emotional energy, creating roadblocks. For Shavel, in particular, it lessened her opportunity to get a good education.

"We used to fetch water from a pipe which was not guaranteed to be there the following day. The water was not enough because at some point we used to scramble for it and even go back home late; having little time to study. When heavy rains came; there used to be soil erosion happening around [the] waterpoint, and the water flowing was dirty," shared Shavel.

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

Shavel at the protected spring.

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

"I'm very happy that clean water flows in our spring and in plenty. I'm able to go back home in time and do my studies [and] also help my parents at home," said Shavel.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Shavel 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 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 Shavel 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.

"Now I'm able to arrive in school on time and improve in my studies. I'm able to focus on my goal which is to be a doctor in the future," concluded Shavel.