Alicia Enjoys Playing with Her Friends!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Alicia. Since then, she and the 210 residents of the Ifwetere Community have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"The best thing about living with clean water is that I don't get sick from waterborne diseases," celebrated Alicia.

Before the Spring Protection

Like many children in Western Kenya, 11-year-old Alicia is responsible for collecting water to meet her daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole her time and negatively affected her.

The spring before it was protected.

Drinking the water from the previous water source 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 Alicia, it meant she spent hours collecting water instead of learning in school.

"I did not like collecting water from this waterpoint because each time I had to step into the dirty, stagnant water to collect my water. Balancing water from this waterpoint was also very difficult since it was always slippery," recalled Alicia.

Since the Spring Protection

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

Alicia at the spring collecting water.

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 am significantly healthier now, as we have access to clean and safe water, which has reduced the frequency of illness. Now, I no longer need to take bitter medication for stomach issues or diarrhea caused by drinking unsafe water," Alicia shared.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Alicia and 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 system hardware, monitor water availability, conduct sanitary inspections, and collect water-quality samples to identify risks. We work with our on-the-ground team to resolve them.

You gave Alicia 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 am healthier, so I don't miss school due to waterborne illnesses," Alicia said.

"My grades have improved a lot since getting clean water has been made easier. I used to spend hours waiting in line for water, and sometimes I would even get late to school. Now, I have more time to study and attend classes regularly," she continued.

Alicia takes her learning seriously and has big dreams for the future.

"I would like to be a doctor when I grow up. I am working hard in school to be a doctor and come and help my community members with issues related to waterborne diseases," she noted.

Thankfully, studying is not the only thing Alicia has time and energy for these days. She now has time to be a kid, and that is worth celebrating!

"I love playing with my friends. The time I used to spend fetching water, I now play with friends and help my parents with their household chores," she gladly shared.

Alicia washing laundry.