Rebecca and Her Community Become Stronger and More Self-Reliant

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Rebecca. Since then, she and the Kaghui Community of 1,500 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"What I like most is that the water is very clean and the water point is close to our homes. Fetching water takes only a short time, and the process is both safe and easy," shared Rebecca.

Before the Solar Pipeline Installation

Like many women in Southeastern Kenya, 39-year-old Rebecca Nduni Kimwele is responsible for collecting water to meet her daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole her time and negatively affected her.

Previously community members took long, exhausting trips to collect water.

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. For Rebecca, it reduced her time and energy to accomplish her daily tasks.

"Fetching water before the solar-powered system was installed was extremely exhausting. We had to walk long distances under the burning sun, carrying heavy containers along rocky and dusty paths. The queues at the shallow well were long, and sometimes we would spend hours waiting [for] our turn. It was time-consuming, draining, and affected our ability to do other important activities like farming, childcare, and household chores. Many days felt wasted just trying to secure enough water for the day," recalled Rebecca.

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

Reliable, clean water lays the groundwork for improved health, education, and economic opportunities, allowing people to thrive. We frequently hear from those we interview that "water is life!"

"Since the project was implemented, my health has improved greatly. I no longer suffer from the exhaustion and body pains that came from walking long distances under the scorching sun. Water-related illnesses have also reduced because the water we fetch now is clean and safe," Rebecca said. "Clean water means fewer illnesses and less worry about contamination. It also gives us more time for productive activities because we no longer spend hours walking long distances. Our animals can drink easily, and our homes are cleaner and more comfortable."

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Rebecca and 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 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 excitedly expect that with this precious resource, her enthusiasm and courage will help her fulfill her dreams.

"My dream is to expand our vegetable farming and tree-growing activities so that we can earn more income as a group and improve our lives. Access to water will definitely make these dreams easier because we now have a reliable supply that supports both farming and business. With clean, nearby water and the income we earn from water sales, I feel hopeful that our community will grow stronger and more self-reliant," Rebecca said.

Rebecca and her entire community are benefiting from the solar pipeline, making water accessible. The funds collected for the water are put into a reserve to help the community maintain the project and do development projects. With funds collected over the past year, her group intends to expand its farming projects, thereby providing food security and increasing the community's self-reliance.