Less Stress for Mwende

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Mwende Mwendwa. Since then, she and the Kasioni Community of 200 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I am no longer stressed about where to get clean water to drink. Also, I no longer worry about waterborne diseases or walking long distances," declared Mwende.

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many women in Southeastern Kenya, 57-year-old farmer Mwende Mwendwa is responsible for collecting water to meet daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole her time and negatively affected her.

Previously community members walked long distances 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 Mwende, it lessened her opportunity to stay healthy and complete her daily tasks.

"Before this project was implemented, getting water was a major struggle for my family and the entire community. We used to walk about 8 kilometers to River Katse, and the journey was extremely tiring, especially for someone my age. The water we fetched was contaminated because it came from open scoop holes that animals often contaminated. During the dry seasons, the water from the other shallow well would reduce even more, leading to rationing, overcrowding, and long delays. The time wasted walking and waiting at the river affected our household chores, farming, and even our health," shared Ms. Mwendwa.

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

The functioning sand dam.

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!"

Mwende collects water from the well fed by the sand dam.

"I like that the water is now very near and clean. I no longer walk long distances or waste time queuing," declared Mwende.

"My health has improved a lot because water is now a few minutes away, and I do not have to walk long distances to fetch water like I used to before. I am also drinking clean water, which does not expose me to water-related infections like the scoop holes. I now get time to take care of my hygiene and prepare meals on schedule," Mwende continued.

"Clean water has also improved our comfort at home—we can cook, wash, and keep our environment clean without struggle," she concluded.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Mwende 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 Mwende 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.

"I am most proud that I can now live a more comfortable life, with enough clean water for my family. I am also proud of the trees I have planted—they are growing well because I can water them regularly. As a group, we are proud that we can maintain this project ourselves through our water sales and table banking. Clean water has truly transformed our lives," Mwende celebrated.