John Makes Progress in Farming Thanks to Sufficient Water!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for John. Since then, he and the Museesu Community of 300 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"Fetching water now is easy and takes only a few minutes. The water point is close by. There are no long queues or rush because the shallow well does not dry up even during drought. I can walk there without straining my back, and the water is available [at] any time of day. It has restored dignity to our lives, especially for women and the elderly."

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many in Kenya, 43-year-old farmer John Munyoki 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.

Collecting water from the previous watersource -- scoop holes in the dry Iguini riverbed.

Drinking the water 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.

"Getting water in the past was very difficult because we depended on scoop holes in [the] Iguini River, which is about 4km away. This water was not reliable because it would reduce in quantity as the drought season progressed, leading to long queues at the water point. It was also shared with animals and unprotected, which exposed us to water-related infections, which were costly to treat, given our paltry income," said John.

"Before the project, getting water was a daily burden. We would wake up very early (sometimes as early as 5:00 a.m.) and walk long distances just to reach the scoop holes. If you arrived late, the water would already be used up, and you'd have to wait for more to collect or go back empty-handed. For those of us without donkeys, carrying jerrycans on our backs was painful and exhausting. You could only manage one or two trips a day, and by the time you returned home, half the day was gone. It disrupted everything—from farming to family meals to our children’s education," John 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 John’s future. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.

The sand dam collects sand and 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!"

John collects water from the attached well.

"My health has improved a lot. I keep myself hydrated throughout the day because clean water is nearby, and even meals at home are prepared on time. Now I feel stronger and healthier. Since we started using clean water, stomach illnesses and skin infections have also reduced in my family. I now have the energy and time to focus on activities I used to neglect, like tending to our small farm, caring for our animals, and working in our tree nursery," John said.

"I no longer wake up worried about whether I’ll find water or whether my children will go to school late. Meals are prepared on time, the house is clean, and we can drink water without fear of getting sick. It has made life much more comfortable," he added.

"It takes less than 30 minutes now to fetch water and return home. Before, it used to take several hours just to make one trip. Now, even with multiple trips, my family and I still have time and energy left for other things. That change has made a huge difference in our lives," John concluded.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for John and the rest of 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 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 John 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 John fulfill his dreams.

"We’ve achieved so much. I’ve helped set up a tree nursery with other members of the group, and we’ve planted trees around our farms and homes. Hygiene has improved because we have enough water to wash regularly, clean our latrines, and maintain a healthy environment. The time saved is now spent on farming and livestock care, which is slowly boosting our household income," said John.

"My dream is to expand my farming and earn enough to educate my children and build a better home. I’d like to see our group grow and thrive in the soap-making business. With reliable water, these dreams are possible. Water gives you the stability to plan and work toward a better future."

"I am most proud of how far we’ve come as a community. A year ago, we were exhausted, frustrated, and divided by the struggle for water. Today, we are united, healthier, and more productive. Personally, I’m proud that I can provide for my family without sacrificing their health or my own strength."

John waters tree saplings.