Janet Has Time to Learn and Play!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Janet. Since then, she and the Kithalani Community of 800 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I am able to play with my friends because I no longer spend a lot of time fetching water," said Janet.

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many girls in Southeast Kenya, 10-year-old Janet is responsible for collecting water to meet her daily needs. Before last year’s installation of a sand dam and well, this task stole her time and negatively affected her.

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 Janet, in particular, it lessened her opportunity to study and play with her friends.

"It was very frustrating to fetch water in the past because of the long distance involved. You could walk to the waterpoint, only to find it locked because [the] water was rationed by the group members. One had to bear with the scorching sun and dusty roads while going to fetch water," said Janet.

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 Janet’s future. By supporting the sand dam, 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 am no longer forced to drink water from scoop holes. I also spend less than thirty minutes to draw [water] here, unlike before when I could spend up to 2 hours fetching water and coming back home," said Janet.

Janet (right) helping pump water at the well fed by the sand dam.

The Future is Looking Bright!

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

You gave Janet 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 fulfill dreams.

"I now use my time studying or helping my parents at home with household chores. My grades are improving because I get time to study and discuss with my friends. I go to school every day because I carry drinking water to school, unlike before when I would skip school when there was no water at home to carry to school," said Janet.

"When I grow up I want to be a teacher because I now have ample time to study and improve my grades, thanks to the close proximity of this waterpoint that offers adequate water even during the drought period."

Janet.