"Life is easier, cleaner, and healthier!"

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Alice. 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 point is very close to my home and the water is clean and safe for drinking and cooking," shared Alice.

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many women in Kenya, 48-year-old Alice Katembu 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 previous water source.

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 Alice, in particular, it lessened her opportunity to fulfill her daily duties efficiently.

"Before the project, life was very difficult. We used to wake up as early as 4 a.m. to walk a long distance, about three hours, to the scoop holes at the seasonal Ndalani River. We queued for long hours because the water would run out quickly, forcing us to wait until more water collected. The place was often crowded and dirty, and sometimes people quarreled as they struggled to get a turn. Livestock also drank and defecated near the scoop holes, which made the water contaminated and unsafe," recalled Alice.

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

The full 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!"

"Life is easier, cleaner, and healthier," declared Alice. "My health and my family’s health have greatly improved because we now drink clean water. We no longer suffer from frequent stomach upsets and other water-related diseases. With the time saved from fetching water, I’ve been able to grow trees and take better care of my goats. I can also participate more in group activities and spend more time with my family."

The Future is Looking Bright!

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

"It now takes me just a few minutes to fetch water because the water point is near my home. Before, it took us almost the whole day to go to Ndalani River and come back in the evening. It’s much faster, and I can use the extra time for farming and other household work," Alice shared.

"With reliable water, I have grown trees on my farm, and my goats now have a steady source of drinking water. The availability of water has made it easier to maintain a clean home environment. Selling water has also helped me earn a small income, which supports my household needs. My dream is to expand my farming activities by growing more vegetables and trees, and to improve my home. Access to water will make this possible because I can irrigate my crops and keep my livestock healthy throughout the year," Alice said.

"I am most proud that I can now fetch clean water easily, keep my family healthy, and grow trees on my farm. I am also proud that our group has become more united and responsible through this project. The availability of clean water has significantly improved our lives," celebrated Alice.

Alice pumps water at the well attached to the sand dam.