Kitwa Dreams of Becoming a Policeman!

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

"Now, the water is safe to drink, and we are healthier. I enjoy being clean all the time — we can bathe daily, wash our clothes, and keep the house clean," said Kitwa.

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many in Kenya, 12-year-old Kitwa is responsible for collecting water to meet his daily needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole his time and negatively affected him.

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.

"Last year, getting water was a real struggle for my family and me. We had to walk a very long distance to reach the open dam. Sometimes we would find a long queue, or the water would already be too low or dirty to fetch," shared Kitwa.

"It was exhausting and stressful. I would spend most of my evenings, weekends, and school holidays fetching water. I would leave home early and return in the afternoon, completely worn out. Sometimes I even missed schoolwork or arrived at school late because I had to help with water in the morning. It made life hard, and I often felt behind in my studies," he continued.

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 Kitwa'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!"

"Now, I actually don’t mind fetching water. It’s close, clean, and we don’t have to queue for long or fight for a turn. The place is neat and organized, and I can get back home quickly without feeling too tired. It’s made things so much easier for all of us," said Kitwa.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Kitwa and the rest of his 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 Kitwa a crucial tool for achieving his dreams: access to clean water. Together, we can excitedly expect that with this precious resource, his enthusiasm and courage will help fulfill his dreams.

Kitwa on the sand dam, near the well.

"I’ve really improved in school. Since I’m not spending all my time fetching water, I can now concentrate on my studies. I have time to revise, complete my homework, and even attend extra discussions with friends. I feel more focused, and I’m more confident in class," shared Kitwa.

"I now have more time to help with other chores at home, like herding goats and cleaning. I also have time to play football with my friends. Most importantly, I can now study without being too tired or worried about water," he continued.

Dreams seem achievable for Kitwa, now that he has a reliable water source, closer to home!

"I want to become a policeman so I can help protect people and bring peace and safety to my community. Having access to clean water makes this dream easier because now I’m in a better position to study and perform well in school. I believe I can achieve it if I keep working hard," he dreamed.

Kitwa in the community garden.