Healthier Students and Teachers!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Felistas Mumbe and her students. Since then, she and the 287 students and teachers at Itendeu Secondary School have had access to clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"Now, fetching water is convenient, safe, and reliable!" celebrated Felistas.

Before the Raintank Installation

Like many teachers in Southeastern Kenya, 43-year-old Felistas Mumbe was responsible for supervising the collection of water to meet the school's daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole her time and negatively affected her.

The school relied on water transported from scoop holes before the raintank was installed.

Drinking water from the previous source had severe consequences. Students and teachers at the school suffered from waterborne diseases, which affected their daily lives and ability to learn. For Ms. Mumbe, it meant she often watched her students suffer from thirst or water-related illness.

"Before the construction of the masonry tank, the school faced severe water shortages throughout the year. The available plastic tanks were too small to harvest enough rainwater, which meant we could not meet the daily water needs of the school. As a result, we had to frequently purchase water from vendors at a very high cost. Unfortunately, this water was often sourced from unclean scoop holes in rivers, raising serious concerns about its safety. Water rationing became a daily reality, affecting hygiene, cooking, and even drinking, and learners sometimes had to endure thirst during school hours," Ms. Mumbe shared.

Since the Raintank Installation

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

Ms. Mumbe is in front of the large raintank.

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!"

"Since the implementation of the project, there has been a noticeable improvement in health within the school. Cases of waterborne illnesses have reduced significantly due to access to clean and safe water. With adequate water available, we are now able to maintain proper hygiene standards consistently. This has created a healthier learning environment and allowed both students and teachers to focus better on their academic and professional responsibilities," she said.

"Knowing that the water we drink and use is safe greatly improves our well-being. It supports better hygiene, prevents disease, and ensures that daily school activities run smoothly without disruption," she continued.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Ms. Mumbe and her school. 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 her a crucial tool for achieving her dreams: access to clean water. Together, we can be confident that, with this precious resource, her enthusiasm and courage will help her fulfill her dreams.

"I am most proud of the positive transformation in the school environment. Access to clean water has not only improved health and hygiene but also enabled the school to invest in important developments like the girls’ boarding wing and educational resources. Seeing students learn in a healthier, more supportive environment is truly fulfilling, and it highlights the far-reaching impact of having reliable access to clean water," Ms. Mumbe concluded.

Students collect water from the raintank.