Mutanu Has Time to Play and Study!

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

"I like that the water is close to home, so I don’t have to walk for hours. The water is clean, so we don’t have to worry about getting sick. And because I don’t get too tired fetching water, I have energy for school and playing."

Before the Well Installation

Like many young girls in Kenya, 8-year-old Mutanu helps collect water to meet her family's daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole her time and negatively affected her.

The previous water source - a scoop hole in a dry 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. For Mutanu, in particular, it lessened her opportunity to stay healthy and have the energy for school and play.

"Last year, before this project was implemented, we really struggled. We had to walk all the way to the Iguini River, which was about 6 kilometers (almost 4 miles) away. The water there was dirty because animals would drink from it and step in it. Sometimes, when we got there, the water had dried up, and we had to wait for it to seep back. It was hard to get enough water for drinking, washing, and cooking," said Mutanu.

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 community and Mutanu’s future. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.

Mutanu (center) at the well with other community members.

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!"

"The best thing is that life is easier. We don’t have to struggle to find water, and we can use it for many things—drinking, cooking, washing clothes, and even cleaning our home. We don’t worry about getting sick from the water anymore," said Mutanu.

"I don’t get stomach pains as much as before. Before, we used to drink dirty water, and sometimes I would have diarrhea, which made me weak and miss school. Now, we drink clean water, and I feel strong and healthy," she continued.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Mutanu 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 Mutanu 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 Mutanu fulfill her dreams.

Mutanu.

"I have been doing much better! Before, I used to get very tired from fetching water, and sometimes I didn’t have time to finish my homework. Now, I have more time to study, and I can concentrate in class because I am not tired," said Mutanu.

"I have more time to do my homework, play with my friends, and help my mother with other chores. I also enjoy reading my school books now because I don’t feel too tired after getting water," she continued.

"When I grow up, I want to be a teacher. I want to help other children learn so that they can have a better life, just like this water project has made life better for me. Now that we have clean water, I have more time to study, so I know I can work hard and achieve my dream," she concluded.