Lillian Dreams of Helping Other Children!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Lillian. Since then, she and the Ngaaka Primary School of 135 students and teachers have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"Now that we have water in our school, I don’t even have to fetch it from far. It’s clean, close by, and always available."

Before the Rainwater Tank Installation

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

Students walking to collect water before the raintank installation.

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 Lillian, in particular, it lessened her opportunity to stay healthy so she could learn.

"Before the water project was built at our school, getting water was really hard. Every morning, I had to carry water from home in a jerrycan along with my books. It was heavy, and by the time I got to school, I was already tired. Sometimes, the water I brought wasn’t enough for the whole day, and we had to share what little was available. I helped my parents fetch water from [the] Kaundu River, which is very far, especially after school and on weekends. It used to take hours, and the river water wasn’t clean—it made some of us sick with stomach problems," shared Lillian.

Since the Rainwater Tank 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 Lillian’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 like that we can just go with a cup or bottle and drink clean water anytime. We don’t have to line up for long or carry heavy jerrycans anymore, and that makes me very happy," said Lillian.

"Since the water tank was built, I’ve been healthier. I don’t get stomachaches like before, and I haven’t missed school because of sickness. Clean water has really helped us stay strong and avoid diseases like typhoid and amoebas that we used to get from dirty water. The best thing is that I feel safe and comfortable at school. I can drink water without worrying about getting sick."

Students and a teacher collect water from the rain tank.

The Future is Looking Bright!

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

"I have really improved in school. Before, I was often tired and sometimes missed classes because I was sent to fetch water or felt sick. Now, I attend all my lessons and have more time to study and do homework. I’ve seen my marks go up, and I’m more confident in class," remarked Lillian.

She continued, "Now that I don’t have to spend time fetching water, I use that time to revise my notes, read storybooks, and sometimes help my friends with their homework. I get more time to rest after school, which helps me stay fresh the next day."

"I want to become a lawyer when I grow up. I want to help protect the rights of children and make sure everyone is treated fairly. Having enough time to study and staying healthy because of clean water is helping me move closer to that dream," Lillan concluded.

Lillian (center in light green shirt) with her friends watering the school garden.