Purity Feels Safer and More Energetic!

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

"Now, fetching water is much easier and faster. The shallow well is nearby, the water is clean, and I no longer have to queue for hours or wake up at dawn. I can plan my day better, and I feel safer and more energetic."

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many in Kenya, 24-year-old Purity Mwangangi 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.

Before the water project last year, people had to travel long distances to collect water.

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 Purity, in particular, it lessened her opportunity to complete her daily tasks and make any progress.

"Before the sand dam and shallow well were constructed, water was a huge challenge for us. The existing sand dams and shallow wells could not meet the needs of everyone in the community, especially during peak drought periods. I had to wake up very early, prepare my children for school, and then walk for about 30 minutes to the river. Once there, I had to wait for hours to fetch a few jerrycans of water. By the time I returned home, I was already exhausted and couldn't do much for the rest of the day. It consumed both my energy and time," said Purity.

She continued to share how exhausting life was, "It was exhausting and time-consuming. The queues were long, and the shallow wells often dried up due to the high demand. The sun would already be high by the time I returned home, and I would be too tired to do anything else. Water scarcity made life difficult; it disrupted [my] daily routines and made hygiene, cooking, and farming nearly impossible."

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

Purity at the well that draws water from the 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!"

"We can draw water easily from this project because it is very close to my home, and it does not expose us to water-related infections. Fetching water only takes me a few minutes because this water point is very close to my home," said Purity.

"I’m proud that we now live in a cleaner, healthier community. I’m proud of the trees we’ve planted, the vegetables we’ve grown, and the soap we’ve produced as a group. Most of all, I’m proud that I can now take care of my family and plan for a better future with confidence, thanks to the gift of clean, accessible water."

The Future is Looking Bright!

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

"I dream of expanding my small farm and starting a vegetable business to support my children’s education. Access to water will make this easier. I now have the time, energy, and resources to plan and pursue my goals without being held back by the struggle for water," said Purity.

Purity (left) collecting water.