Derrick Enjoys School Again!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Derrick. Since then, he and the Viyalo Primary School of 391 students have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"It has made our stay in school wonderful. We can wash our hands after visiting latrines when we want to eat or after touching dirty surfaces. This is made possible through [the] availability of enough water in our school."

Before the Well Installation

Like many in Kenya, 16-year-old Derrick is responsible for collecting water to meet daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole his time and negatively affected him.

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 Derrick, in particular, it made going to school every day difficult.

Students hauling water before their well was implemented.

"It was difficult for us, especially when we were sent in the morning to get water for school. The road leading there was wet and made our feet dirty and cold. We experienced [the] challenge of carrying books and water together in the morning to school," he shared.

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

Derrick at the new well.

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 borehole is next to our class, and [it is] easier to fetch water. It provides us with clean water that haven't had before drilling was done. We feel good about it," Derrick continued.

The Future is Looking Bright!

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

"[I'm] performing extremely well above the expectation. I always have sufficient time to do homework and revisions," Derrick shared. With more time to do his homework and focus on his studies, Derrick's dream of becoming a doctor is more attainable!