Kevin Dreams of Being Healthy

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Kevin. Since then, he and the Ishiru Secondary School, with 383 students and teachers, 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 staying healthy, feeling comfortable, and having more time to focus on school instead of searching for water," celebrated Kevin.

Before the Well Installation

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

Students previously had to collect water from a community spring off-campus.

Drinking the water caused severe consequences. Many in the school community suffered from waterborne diseases that created health problems, affecting their daily lives. Limited accessibility also meant students wasted time collecting water instead of studying. The difficult journey to collect water sapped their physical and emotional energy, creating roadblocks to learning. For Kevin, it lessened his opportunity to concentrate in class.

"Before the project was built, we had many problems getting water at school. We used to walk long distances to fetch water from the community spring, and sometimes we arrived late to school because of the time spent fetching water. During dry seasons, the school tanks would dry up, and there was not enough water for drinking, cooking, or cleaning. The water was not always safe, and many students suffered from diseases such as typhoid and stomach problems. Some learners missed school because they were sick or tired from carrying water. It was very difficult for us, and it affected our learning and school activities," recalled Kevin.

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 school community and Kevin’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!"

"I like that fetching water here is now easy and fast because the water is close to our classrooms. We no longer walk long distances or miss lessons looking for water. The water is also clean and safe, which helps us stay healthy and comfortable at school," said Kevin.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Kevin and his classmates. 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 Kevin 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.

"Since the water point was installed, my academic performance has improved because I now arrive at school on time and attend classes more regularly. Now that fetching water takes less time, I use my extra time to study, complete my homework, play with friends, and participate in school activities," said Kevin.

"My dream is to work hard in school, succeed in my studies, and have a good future where I can help my family and community. I want to grow up healthy, achieve my goals, and become a responsible and successful person in life," Kevin envisioned.

Kevin with classmates at the well.