Beatrice is Full of Hope for the Future!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Beatrice. Since then, she and the Kavililu Community of 250 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"It's such a relief! The water is close, clean, and always available — even during the dry season."

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many women in Kenya, 41-year-old farmer Beatrice Musyoka 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.

People walked a long distance to collect water before the sand dam was installed.

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 Beatrice, in particular, it lessened her opportunity to collect enough water for her daily needs and to farm for her livelihood.

"Before this project, water was a daily struggle. We depended on one dug well that served many people, and during droughts, the situation became unbearable. Queues were long, the water was never enough, and walking the steep 3 km every day was exhausting. At times, we had to choose between fetching water and doing other important things like farming, cooking, or even resting," Beatrice recalled.

"It was draining, both physically and emotionally. I used to wake up early every morning and return home past midday — only carrying one or two 20-liter jerrycans on my back. Some days, I would go back home after several hours of waiting in the queue because the well had a slow recharge rate. We had to ration water tightly — there was barely enough for drinking, let alone for hygiene or farming. Without sufficient water availability, [it] was very difficult," she 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 Beatrice's future. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.

The sand dam and attached 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!"

Beatrice.

"I now spend less than 30 minutes getting water. I don't dread the trip anymore. In fact, I look forward to going because I know I'll be back quickly and can move on with other tasks. Knowing I can access water any time gives me relief. I can cook, clean, and irrigate my trees without fear of running out. It's a blessing I thank God for every day," said Beatrice.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Beatrice 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 Beatrice 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 dream of expanding my farming and planting various crops that would fetch me a sizable income. We also hope to build a road crossing, and water from this project will be crucial. Access to water makes this possible. It gives me the time and strength to pursue these dreams — and that means everything to me," shared Beatrice.

"I am proud of how far we've come. From a woman who used to spend half her day searching for water, to someone who now grows food, saves money, takes good care of her livestock, and keeps her home clean—this change is what I'm most proud of. I am hopeful again!" Beatrice exclaimed proudly.

Beatrice celebrating the community tree nursery with other women.