Rose Plans a Brighter Future!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Rose Mwanziu. Since then, she and the Kisirani Community of 300 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I am now able to fetch water within a few minutes, unlike before, when it used to take several hours to fetch water from the previous distant sources. I am now stronger because I am drinking clean water and taking my meals on time; there are no issues of fatigue, headaches, or stomach upsets," said Rose.

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many in Southeastern Kenya, 56-year-old farmer Rose Mwanziu 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.

Previously, collecting water required significant labor and time.

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 Ms. Mwanziu, it lessened her opportunity to stay healthy and accomplish her daily tasks.

"Before the construction of this project, life was extremely challenging because of water scarcity. We depended on distant water sources like the Mui River and the community borehole, and the journey took several hours. We woke up as early as 4:00 a.m. to avoid long queues, but even then, sometimes the water ran out before everyone fetched. Carrying heavy jerrycans on our backs caused backaches and leg pain, and the water was often contaminated because animals also drank from the same places. Hygiene was difficult to maintain, and farming suffered because we never had enough water for both home use and our small farms," shared Rose Mwanziu.

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 Rose’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 love fetching water here because it is nearby, clean, and always available. I no longer wake up at dawn or walk long distances. The water is safe, and I feel relieved knowing that my family is drinking clean water. The convenience has brought so much peace and dignity into our daily life," said Rose.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Rose 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 Rose 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 have accomplished a lot. I planted vegetables, which we use at home and sell for income. This has helped me contribute to school fees and buy household needs. I have also planted trees that are now growing well—something that was impossible before. I am part of our table banking group, and the money we save from selling water helps us maintain the project and support our businesses. I also continue making soap, and having enough water has made the process easier and more hygienic," Rose shared.

"My dream is to continue expanding my small vegetable garden and maybe start a bigger farming project that can give me more income. I also want to educate and support my grandchildren better. Access to water will make all these dreams easier because farming depends heavily on water, and with clean water nearby, I can work more, stay healthy, and save time," she concluded.

Rose (right) collects water from the well attached to the sand dam.