Dickson is On An Upward Trajectory!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Dickson. Since then, he and the Shiyenga Community of 245 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"No more sickness, which means I don't have to miss a single day of school. I feel hopeful for my future since my parents don't have to spend a fortune on medication!" Dickson shared.

Before the Spring's Protection

Like many young people in Kenya, Dickson, 17, is responsible for collecting water to meet his daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole his time and negatively affected him.

The spring before protection.

Drinking the water caused severe consequences. Many in his 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 Dickson, in particular, it affected his education and endangered his health.

We asked Dickson what it was like to collect water before the spring protection. He said, "Difficult and time-consuming. The long queues affected me negatively because I would waste time that was more needed in [my] studies. Two years ago I slipped and sprained my ankle as I was ascending from the spring after collecting water. I had to walk to school with crutches as a result."

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

Dickson at the 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!"

"I haven't suffered from any waterborne disease in the past year because I wash my hands regularly with clean water and soap. The water I drink is clean and safe, thanks to the chlorine dispenser," Dickson shared.

"My performance has taken an upward trajectory since the installation of this waterpoint. I'm looking forward to completing high school at the end of this year and I'm sure I'll do well in the final exams," he continued.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Dickson and the rest of his 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 Dickson 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 would love to become a civil engineer to help in improving the poor road network within my community."

- Dickson.

Dickson collecting water.