Paul Gains Time to Learn and Dreams of College!

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

"Access to clean water has already made a big difference because I was able to focus on my studies and finish school strong."

Before the Well Installation

Like many young people in Kenya, 17-year-old Paul is responsible for collecting water to meet his daily needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole his time and negatively affected him.

The previous water source -- a scoop hole in a dry riverbed.

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 Paul, in particular, it lessened his opportunity to attend school regularly.

"Last year, getting water was one of the biggest challenges we faced at home. Every day after school, I had to help my mother fetch water from the Kaliluni River or walk several kilometres to the borehole. The water was either dirty or expensive, and the long queues meant I would return home very late and too tired to study. Sometimes, we would miss school or be late because we were fetching water early in the morning. It was stressful and exhausting, and it really affected my concentration and performance in class," said Paul.

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

Community members at 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!"

"It’s close to home, clean, and doesn’t have long queues like before. I can go fetch water quickly and come back with enough for the family in a short time," said Paul.

"This protected waterpoint provides us with clean water, and my mother has insisted on treating water through boiling to keep water-related illnesses at bay. I feel more energetic, and I can help my family without getting tired so easily. I see the same improvement in my younger siblings."

The Future is Looking Bright!

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

"There has been a huge improvement. I’ve had more time to revise, attend school regularly, and sleep better. My concentration also improved because I no longer spent my evenings tired or worried about where to get water the next day. That helped me complete Form Four with confidence," shared Paul.

"I spend more time reading, helping my younger siblings with homework, and assisting my parents on the farm or with household chores."

"Now I’m hopeful that I’ll get into a good college and chase my dreams."