Joy and Dignity for Students and Teachers at Ngungani Secondary School!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Damaris Kithome and her school. Since then, she and the Ngungani Secondary School of 167 students and teachers have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I’m most proud of the positive change in our learning environment. Our students are healthier, more motivated, and our school feels like a safe and organized place. The clean water has truly transformed our school," shared Ms. Kithome.

Before the Rain Tank Installation

Like many teachers in Kenya, Damaris Kithome, 31, is responsible for supervising her students as they collect water to meet their daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole her time.

Students leaving school grounds to collect water before the rain tank installation.

Drinking the water caused severe consequences. Many children suffered from waterborne diseases that created health problems, affecting their daily lives. Limited accessibility also meant they wasted time collecting sufficient water to meet their needs. The difficult journey to collect water sapped their physical and emotional energy, creating roadblocks. For Damaris, in particular, it reduced her opportunities to support her students' learning.

"We did not have enough water in our school, and we would request learners to bring water from home, which was mostly acquired from scoop holes. We had to pay a water vendor to supply water to the school, which was costly and affected the running of school activities. The water was also contaminated, exposing our learners to various water-related infections, such as amoeba and typhoid, forcing them to be out of school when seeking treatment or unwell. The lack of adequate water in the school led to poor hygiene because water had to be used sparingly," recalled Ms. Kithome.

Since the Rain 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 Ms. Kithomi’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!"

Ms. Kithome and a student collecting water from the rain tank.

"The best part is that we no longer need to fetch water from far. Having clean water within the school compound has brought [us] convenience. It's safe, sufficient, and always available when we need it—for cooking, cleaning, and handwashing," shared Ms. Kithome.

"Our overall health has greatly improved. We no longer experience frequent stomach problems or waterborne infections. I feel more energized and productive. We can now focus on teaching and other school programs without the constant worry of water shortage or illness," she continued.

The Future is Looking Bright!

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

"The students are no longer sent out to fetch water or attend class after going hungry. They are more focused and perform better academically. They can now wash their hands, drink clean water, and have balanced meals prepared on time," said Ms. Kithome.

"We no longer spend time organizing water collection or dealing with complaints of illness due to contaminated water. We have more time to plan lessons and engage with students. It has truly brought relief and joy to our daily teaching lives."

"It’s the comfort and dignity it brings. You don’t realize how much stress water scarcity adds until it's gone. Clean water has restored our routine, our confidence, and our ability to plan and achieve."