Life Feels Easier for Bedan!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Bedan. Since then, he and the Ikuyuni Community of 300 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 nearby, clean, and easy to fetch. I don’t have to walk far or worry about falling on rocky slopes. Fetching water now feels safe and takes a very short time," said Bedan.

Before the Well Installation

Like many children in Southeastern Kenya, 13-year-old Bedan 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 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 Bedan, it reduced his ability to have the energy or time to attend school.

"Last year, getting water was very hard. We had to walk long distances over steep and rocky paths, which was tiring and sometimes dangerous. The little water we brought back was not enough for cooking, drinking, and washing. Sometimes I couldn't get time to do my homework because I had to help fetch water," recalled Bedan.

"It was stressful and exhausting. Carrying water uphill left me tired, and most days I couldn’t concentrate well in school because I was already worn out in the morning. Sometimes, donkeys carrying water would trip on the rocky slope, and we lost jerrycans. It felt like water controlled everything we did," he concluded.

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

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!"

"My health has improved because I drink clean water and no longer suffer from stomach problems like before. I can also bathe more often and stay clean, which makes me feel better and more confident," said Bedan.

"The best thing is that life feels easier. My family is healthier, we can keep our home clean, and I don’t feel tired all the time. I also enjoy having enough water to drink whenever I want," he continued.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Bedan and 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 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 Bedan 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 him fulfill his dreams.

The well where Bedan collects water.

"Academically, I am doing better because I have more time to study and I’m less tired. Before, fetching water made me late or left me too exhausted to focus in class. Now I feel more energetic and able to keep up with my schoolwork," said Bedan.

"Now I use my extra time to do homework, play with my friends, and help my parents with farming. I also get more time to rest, which makes me happy. I dream of becoming an engineer so that I can support my family and help my community. With water nearby, I know I can study well and have the chance to achieve my dream," Bedan declared.