Difina No Longer Contracts Typhoid!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Difina. Since then, she and the Mayuge Community of 240 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"For more than a year, I have not contracted typhoid or any other waterborne illness. Typhoid drugs are costly and [but] this threat has been eliminated, I'm able to save money that would have gone to purchasing drugs," said 57-year-old farmer Difina.

Before the Spring Protection
Before the water intervention last year, the task of collecting water stole Difina's time and negatively affected her health.

"The water was contaminated and therefore unsafe for me. One time I woke up with sharp stomach pains. I visited the nearby Mayuge Dispensary and was diagnosed with typhoid, which made my body weak for more than a week. Accessing the waterpoint was also very difficult due to the lack of stairs and the slippery terrain. Collecting water was a dreadful exercise because there were no stairs and spilled water would make the steep terrain very slippery," shared Difina, who we interviewed when we first visited the community.

Drinking the water caused severe consequences. Many in her community suffered from waterborne diseases that created health problems, affecting their daily lives. The spring's limited accessibility also meant people wasted time and risked injury trying to collect sufficient water to meet their needs.

"I had to wake up very early to collect water due to the competition, especially during dry seasons because the spring served people from other nearby communities whose water sources were seasonal. There was overcrowding, which sometimes led to arguments and conflicts," continued Difina.

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 Difina’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 Difina to thrive. We frequently hear from those we interview that "water is life!"

"The two discharge pipes have made it easier and faster for me to collect water. It takes a few seconds to fill up a 20L jerrican which means the competition that existed before has been eliminated," said Difina.

Difina collecting water.

She continued: "Sanitation around my home has improved a great deal.  The waterpoint is now easily accessible because of the well-constructed stairs. We even have a chlorine dispenser which guarantees me clean and safe water all the time."

The Future is Looking Bright!
A year ago, you made a difference for Difina 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 Difina 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.

"I love farming. I plan to purchase a pump to pump water from the spring for irrigation during dry seasons. This way, I can increase my family's income by planting vegetables for selling," said Difina.