"I feel strong and happy, and I can play with my friends without getting tired or sick."

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Joan. Since then, she and the Kilela Community of 350 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I like that the water is clean and close to our home!" declared Joan.

Before the Well Installation

Like many girls in Kenya, age name 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 Joan, it meant exhaustion and no time to simply be a child.

A child collects water from the previous water source.

"Last year, we didn’t have enough water at home. My grandmother and I would go very far to fetch water, and sometimes we would come back tired and late. The water we fetched was dirty, and we sometimes got sick with stomach pain after drinking it," shared 5-year-old Joan.

"It was very hard. We had to wake up very early before the sun came out and walk for many hours to the river. The place was crowded, and we had to wait in line for a long time to get a little water. Sometimes there was no water left, and we had to go home without any," she continued.

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 Joan’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 can help my grandmother fetch water easily now because it doesn’t take long. The water looks clear and fresh, and even our goats drink from here. I don’t get stomach aches anymore because we drink clean water. I feel strong and happy, and I can play with my friends without getting tired or sick," celebrated Joan.

"The best thing is that we can drink, wash, and cook with clean water. My grandmother says it also helps us stay healthy and clean. I like helping her wash dishes and water the trees she planted," she continued.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Joan 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 Joan 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 doing well in school because I don’t get late or tired anymore. I can go to school early, stay clean, and concentrate in class since we don’t spend long hours fetching water," shared Joan.

"Now I have more time to play with my friends, help my grandmother at home, and draw pictures. I also have time to study and rest before going to school," she said.

"When I grow up, I want to be a teacher so I can help other children learn. Having water near home makes me happy because it helps me stay healthy and go to school every day."

Joan at the well with another community member.