Jennifer Gains Peace of Mind

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Jennifer. Since then, she and the Ikuyuni Community of 1,000 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I like that the water is clean, nearby, and safe to fetch," exclaimed Jennifer.

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many women in Southeastern Kenya, 34-year-old farmer Jennifer Lingwa 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 previous water source.

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 Jennifer, it lessened her opportunity to make progress on her farm.

"Before this project, water was a big challenge. We had to walk several kilometers on rocky, hilly paths to fetch small amounts of water. It was exhausting and dangerous—sometimes people slipped on the steep slopes, and donkeys would drop jerrycans due to exhaustion, causing them to break. The little water we got was not enough for hygiene, farming, or even cooking. Many of us, and our children, suffered from typhoid, amoeba, and stomach aches because the water was unsafe," recalled Jennifer.

"It was very tiring and discouraging. Fetching water consumed a lot of time and energy that could have been used to prepare [our] land or farm. We often had to decide between saving water for drinking or using it for other needs, like washing and irrigation. It felt like every day was a struggle just to get by," she continued.

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

The completed sand dam full of 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 no longer risk walking on steep, rocky paths, and I don’t spend hours going up and down hills. The water source is reliable, and I can get enough for all my household needs and farming," Jennifer shared.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Jennifer 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 Jennifer 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 Jennifer fulfill her dreams.

"Since the project was completed, my health and that of my family have improved a lot. We no longer suffer [from] frequent stomach aches or waterborne diseases like typhoid and amoeba. With clean water nearby, I can also bathe regularly, wash clothes, and keep my home clean. What I couldn’t do before—like planting onions and trees on my farm—I can now do with ease because there is enough water for both drinking and farming," Jennifer reported.

"The best thing is good health and peace of mind. My family no longer falls sick often from waterborne diseases, and I can keep my home clean and dignified. Clean water has also given us the chance to farm and feed ourselves better," she continued.

"My dream is to expand my farming, sell more produce, and ensure my family never lacks food or money. I also want to support my children’s education. With water now available nearby, I believe these dreams will be easier to achieve," Jennifer imagined.