"I like that the water point is close to our homes."

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

"I like that the water point is now close to our homes. It is easy to fetch water and go back quickly to continue household chores. The process is less tiring, and the water is clean and safe for use," shared Martha.

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many in Southeastern Kenya, 43-year-old farmer Martha Mwendwa 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.

Community members walked long distances to collect water before the sand dam 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 Martha, it reduced her opportunities to make daily progress.

"Before this project was built, we struggled a lot with water scarcity. We relied on the Ithambwangao Dam, which was very far and exposed us to the scorching sun. Fetching water took almost the whole day, leaving us too tired to do other household tasks," said Martha.

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.

Community members use the well attached to 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!"

"The best thing is that we now have enough water for cooking, washing, improving hygiene, and even watering our goats and cattle during the drought season. Life is easier, healthier, and more dignified," said Martha.

"I don’t worry about safety like before. The water point is nearby, and the long, tiring walks under the hot sun are now a thing of the past. Fetching water is safer and more convenient for us," she continued.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Martha and 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 system hardware, monitor water availability, conduct sanitary inspections, and collect water-quality samples to identify risks. We work with our on-the-ground team 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 Martha fulfill her dreams.

"Having reliable water has helped us a lot. Some of us, including myself, have been able to irrigate vegetables such as kale and onions for household use. I have continued with soap-making, which I learned during the hygiene training. My home hygiene has improved, and I can better care for my livestock because there is enough water even during droughts," she continued.

"My dream is to expand my vegetable garden and strengthen my soap-making activities so that I can earn more income for my family. Access to water will definitely make these dreams easier to achieve because I no longer have to spend a whole day fetching water," Martha concluded.

Community members water their garden with water from the sand dam.