Clean Water Provides Alice Economic Opportunity

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Alice. Since then, she and the Khwihondwe Community of 700 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I enjoy collecting water here. It's easier, faster, and peaceful," said Alice.

Before the Spring Protection

Like many women in Western Kenya, 66-year-old farmer Alice Andeso 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.

The spring before protection.

Drinking the water from the previous water source 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 Alice, it made her worry about her family's well-being and stole her time.

"The spring was always crowded, and fetching water was not easy. Accessing the water point to collect water was also a challenge because of the surrounding and I fell sick a lot," recalled Alice.

Since the Spring Protection

Your generous gift last year was more than a simple donation; it was a powerful statement of your commitment to this community and to Alice’s future. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.

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!"

"I get to the water point, fetch, and go. There is no more waiting for hours. I also like the stairs that make it very easy to access water," said Alice.

We asked Alice what the best thing about having clean water is. "Knowing that I will always wake up to clean water. My routines [are] not stopped, and my family is safe and far away from water-related illnesses," Alice exclaimed. "I feel safer than before."

The Future is Looking Bright!

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

Alice waters her kale with water from the spring.

"I have been able to plant kale near the spring, which is easy to maintain. I have added to my poultry including ducks and chicken. I have a pig I am rearing, which I bought with saved-up money. My grandchildren's lives have also changed. They are eating balanced diets now and going to school with ease," said Alice.

Alice's pig.

Alice has turned access to clean water into an economic powerhouse. She has made steady progress over the past year and continues to dream about how she can continue to grow in the future.

"My dream is to see my family and community happy with their lives getting better, ensuring that we are unified as a people!" declared Alice.