Accessible Water Helps Dreams Feel Achievable

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Felistus. Since then, she and the Ngutho Community of 300 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I like that the waterpoint is now close to our home and the water is clean. Fetching water is faster, and there are no long lines like before. I also feel safe because I don’t have to walk far or pass through lonely paths," said Felistus.

Before the Well Installation

Like many in Southeastern Kenya, 13-year-old Felistus 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 Felistus, it lessened her opportunity to stay healthy and attend school.

"Before the project was built, getting water was very hard. We used to walk long distances, sometimes up to 3 kilometers (almost two miles!), to the old shallow well or even the Ndalani earth dam when the shallow well couldn’t serve everyone. The water was not clean, especially from the earth dam, and sometimes I felt scared walking back home late because we had to leave very early or return late after queuing for [a] long [time]," recalled Felistus.

Since the Well 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 Felistus’ 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!"

"My health has improved a lot. Before the project, I used to get stomachaches and feel tired often because we drank water that was not clean. Now that we have clean water, I rarely fall sick, and I feel more energetic," said Felistus. "The best thing is that we don’t worry about getting sick from dirty water anymore. Clean water also helps us stay neat, wash clothes often, and keep our compound clean."

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Felistus 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 Felistus 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 her fulfill her dreams.

"I am doing much better in school. Since I no longer spend hours fetching water, I have more time to study and rest. I am less tired in class, and my performance has improved. I use the extra time to do my homework, help my mother with chores, and sometimes play with my friends," said Felistus.

"I dream of becoming a nurse so I can help children and families in my community stay healthy. Having clean water makes it easier because I am healthier, more focused in school, and have time to study. Clean water has made my life better, and my dreams feel reachable," she continued.