Clean water has made life easier!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Faith. Since then, she and the Kitemi Community of 3,911 residents have had clean, reliable water from their sand dam and well. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I like that the water is nearby, clean, and easy to fetch. I don’t have to waste hours queuing or worry about quarrels. It feels safe and peaceful compared to before," celebrated Faith.

Before the Well Installation

Like many girls in Southeastern Kenya, 17-year-old Faith 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.

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

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 Faith, it reduced her ability to stay healthy and to have enough energy to attend and focus on school.

"Last year, water was a big struggle. We had to wake up very early and walk more than 4 kilometers to fetch water from the scoop hole or shallow well. The water we got from the scoop holes was not clean and often made people sick. The queues were long, and sometimes people quarreled because everyone wanted to fill their containers before the water ran out," Faith recalled.

"It was very tiring and stressful. The walk under the hot sun left me exhausted, and most of the time, I would still come back with little water that wasn’t even enough for cooking, drinking, and washing. It also meant I had less time for my studies," Faith lamented.

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

Faith pumps water at the well.

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!"

"The best thing is the comfort and dignity it gives. Clean water has made life easier—we can cook, wash, and farm without worry. It has also reduced sickness in our home. My health has improved because I drink clean water now. I no longer suffer from stomach upsets like before. Even my skin feels healthier because I can bathe more often," shared Faith.

The Future is Looking Bright!

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

"My academic life improved because I had more time to focus on my studies. I wasn’t as tired or late to school from fetching water. I recently completed my secondary education, and I’m proud that I did well despite the past struggles," said Faith.

"Now that I don’t spend hours fetching water, I use the extra time to help my parents with farming and household chores. I also get time to rest and think about my future. I dream of becoming a businesswoman so that I can help reduce financial insecurity in my home. With water available nearby, I know we can grow more vegetables and have a reliable source of income to support my dream," she concluded.