Martha Has the Water Needed to Farm!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Martha Ndunge. Since then, she and the Ngomeni Community of 200 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"We have been able to set up a tree nursery, and I recently bought vegetables that I will plant on my farm. Taking care of the trees and vegetables will be easier because I have enough time and water to irrigate them," Ms. Ndunge shared.

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many in Southeast Kenya, 50-year-old Martha Ndunge 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.

A community member collected water from a scoop hole before implementing the sand dam.

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 Ms. Ndunge, in particular, it lessened her opportunity to meet her daily needs.

"We did not have enough water in the past because the waterpoints were located far away, and their water capacity would reduce as the drought season progressed, which led to long queues at the waterpoint. We depended on open scoop holes, which could not provide clean drinking water because they would get contaminated from animal excretion and various human activities. The water scarcity forced us to use water sparingly, which negatively [impacted] hygiene and irrigation of crops," Ms. Ndunge shared.

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

Martha Ndunge.

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 am able to drink clean water whenever I feel thirsty, unlike before when I had to walk to the distant scoop hole to draw water. I am also able to perform regular hygiene because I have enough water from the implemented project. I am able to easily fetch water and focus on other activities at home, like conducting hygiene duties," she added.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Ms. Ndunge 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 Martha 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 fulfill dreams.

The tree nursery the community began with the help of accessible water!

"I want to plant several vegetables on my farm that I will not only consume with my family but also sell to other community members and acquire an income," she concluded.