Mercy Dreams of a Brighter Future!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Mercy. 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!

"There’s peace. You’re not always worried about getting sick, or if there will be water tomorrow. We can drink, cook, and wash without fear. It has made our home more comfortable and safe."

Before the Well Installation

Like many girls in Kenya, 16-year-old Mercy 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.

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 Mercy, in particular, it left her exhausted and unable to focus on her studies.

Community members walked long distances to collect water before the well installation.

"Before this project, life was really hard. Getting water was a daily struggle. We only had one well in the area, and everyone depended on it. The queues were long, and we often had to go very early or late in the day just to avoid the crowd," said Mercy.

"It was exhausting. I had to walk around 3 kilometers (almost two miles!) with a jerrycan on my back. The road was hilly and rough, and sometimes I would fall or get blisters from the weight. After spending so much time and energy getting water, I was too tired to concentrate on my studies or help much at home," she recalled.

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

Mercy (black shirt) at the well with other community members collecting water.

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!"

"Now it’s so different — it’s closer, cleaner, and easier to get. I can go any time and still have energy for the rest of the day. I don’t have to wake up too early or walk far. I actually enjoy it now because I can fetch water quickly and then focus on other things," declared Mercy.

"I spend more time helping my family, reading, and doing productive things like helping irrigate the tree seedlings."

The Future is Looking Bright!

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

"I feel so much better now. I haven’t gotten sick from water in a long time. My siblings are also healthier — we don’t have to miss school or seek medication like we used to. Clean water has made a big difference in our lives," Mercy shared.

"I had more time to revise for my exams, and I wasn’t as tired or sick as before. I was able to concentrate more, and I’m proud to say I completed Form Four successfully. I’m now hopeful that I’ll join a good tertiary institution," she proudly said.

"I want to pursue a course in college with guidance from my parents so that I can come back and help my people, especially girls like me who’ve faced water challenges. Having access to clean water gives me hope that my dreams are possible, and I believe in a better future," Mercy declared.