"Having access to safe drinking water forms part of one's happiness."

Your gift unlocked Sinnatu's potential for a brighter future last year. Since then, she and the Mathen Community of 164 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"Having access to safe drinking water forms part of one's happiness."

Before the Well Rehabilitation

Like many in Sierra Leone, 17-year-old Sinnatu 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.

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. For Sinnatu, in particular, it lessened her opportunity to spend time in school.

"It was not easy to fetch water here, looking at the distance, quality of water, and seasonality of the swamp water source. I was not living a normal life like my friends [who] were privileged to get access to [a] safe and reliable water source. So, it was not easy for me at all," shared Sinnatu.

Since the Well Rehabilitation

Your generous gift last year was much more than a simple donation; it was a powerful statement about your commitment to this community and Sinnatu’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 can do multiple trips to the well in the morning hours before going to school. No need to walk [the] far distance to fetch water from the swamp. This has helped me to be punctual and regular in school. So I now have enough time to pay attention to my studies. That is why I have improved in my performance in school during exams," said Sinnatu.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Sinnatu 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 Sinnatu 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.

"Clean water is safer to use because it makes us healthy," Sinnatu shared.

Not only does having access to clean water make people healthier, but it also reduces the risks for girls who have to walk long distances to collect water from places where they are often unprotected.

"Now, I no longer worry about safety because the well is located next to our house. It is in a safe place that is far away from the bush," Sinnatu declared.

With less worry about her health and her safety, Sinnatu has the energy and time to dream about her future.

"I want to be a lawyer when I grow up," Sinnatu declared.