Ngungani Community Members Thrive with Water!

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

"Fetching water here is nothing like it was before. The sand dam and shallow well provide us with clean water most of the year."

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many in Southeast Kenya, 73-year-old Gabriel Kilonzo is responsible for collecting water to meet his daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole his time and negatively affected him.

Mr. Kilonzo fetching water from the previous faraway 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 Gabriel, in particular, it lessened his opportunity to maintain good health.

"I’ve lived in Ngungani my entire life, and I’ve witnessed the struggles our community has faced with water. Last year, before the sand dam and shallow well project, life was incredibly difficult. Water was always scarce, and the little we could find was dirty and unsafe," said Mr. Kilonzo.

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

The sand dam with water that supplies the well.

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!"

"Drawing water only takes a few minutes, and it’s right here in the community. I like how convenient it is—there’s no need to wake up before dawn or walk long distances anymore," shared Gabriel.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Gabriel 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 Gabriel 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 dreams.

"My health has improved because I easily get enough water to drink and keep myself hydrated. I have more time to focus on farming and improving the yield of my crops, which would supplement my family's diet. I have managed to make more terraces on my land because I no longer spend most of my time fetching water. As a community, we’ve seen more people take up farming, start small businesses, and even build better homes. It’s inspiring to see how water has brought new life to Ngungani," said Gabriel.

"As for the future, I dream of seeing our community thrive even more. I hope our young people will get the education and opportunities they deserve. Reliable access to water will make these dreams much easier to achieve. Water is life, and with it, we can do anything. I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish next," he concluded.