"My mind is now peaceful!"

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

"I am very happy that this water point is very close to my home because my family and I can easily fetch water here, and the water is free from contamination, preventing exposure to gastrointestinal issues like typhoid or dysentery caused by contaminated water," said Agnes.

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many women in Southeastern Kenya, 52-year-old Agnes Mwongela is responsible for collecting water to meet her family's daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole her time and negatively affected her.

Walking long distances and hauling water were normal before the sand dam 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 Agnes, it lessened her opportunity to stay healthy and make daily progress in life.

"Last year, getting water was very hard. We had to wake up very early and walk more than 4 kilometers to the scoop hole or the shallow well. If you got there late, the water would run out, and you had to wait hours for it to collect again. The queues were very long, sometimes leading to quarrels. The water was not clean because animals defecated around the scoop holes, and many people, including myself, suffered from stomach diseases like typhoid and amoebiasis," recalled Agnes.

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 Agnes' 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!"

"Now it takes me less than 30 minutes to fetch water because the sand dam and shallow well are very close to my home. Before, it would take more than 2 hours walking under the hot sun. The difference is huge," Agnes said.

"My health has improved a lot because I no longer drink dirty water. I rarely fall sick from stomach upsets now. With clean water nearby, I can also use my energy and time for farming and taking care of my livestock instead of walking long distances," she exclaimed.

The Future is Looking Bright!

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

"My mind is now peaceful. I no longer worry about my children or livestock falling sick from dirty water. I can also bathe, wash clothes, and keep my home clean easily. It has brought dignity back into our lives," said Agnes.

"My dream is to expand my farming so that I can sell more vegetables and groundnuts and support my children’s future. With water now nearby, I know this is possible. I also hope to plant more trees on my land to provide shade and conserve the environment," she continued.

Agnes and other members water the thriving community garden.

"I am most proud of being able to farm and earn money from the group farm. Before, I couldn’t imagine farming because water was too scarce. Now, we have food for my family, extra income, and savings in our table banking group. Clean water has truly changed my life!" Agnes declared.