Bernard's Health Improves with Clean Water!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Bernard. Since then, he 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!

"Fetching now only takes a few minutes, which is a big merit for us because we used to spend almost an entire day going to fetch water and returning home. I can even make several trips to this waterpoint because it is very close to my home."

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many in Kenya, 73-year-old farmer Bernard Musili 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.

The scoop hole community members relied on previously.

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 Bernard, in particular, it lessened his opportunity to farm and improve his livelihood.

"Fetching water was very difficult. We had to wake up early to walk long distances, and even after reaching the scoop holes, there was no guarantee of getting enough clean water because of the immense contamination. The journey also left us tired and unable to focus on other activities like farming. We had to use water sparingly at home, which adversely affected hygiene and health," shared Bernard.

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

The sand dam that collects water for the well.

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!"

Bernard collecting water from the well that is attached to the sand dam.

"Clean water has improved our health, reduced waterborne diseases, and saved us time. We can now focus on farming, raising livestock, and other productive activities instead of spending hours fetching water," said Bernard.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Bernard 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 Bernard 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 Bernard fulfill his dreams.

"I hope to continue farming and improving my income. Access to water will make this easier by allowing me to plant more crops and take better care of my livestock. Since water is nearby, my cattle and goats can easily drink water here, which has improved their health, and I reap better yields from them. I will also be able [to] plant and nurture fruit trees like mangoes and oranges, which will enable me to get a good income and take care of my children," said Bernard.